In addition to education, and the multitude of avenues and services that University of Utah Health provides, our faculty and staff conduct, collaborate, and initiate research. We advance knowledge through innovative, basic, and clinical research and translate our discoveries into applications that help people.
The University of Utah is ranked among the top 30 public research universities in the nation with particular distinctions in medicine and genetics. As a result of our benchmarking research, the university received over $309 million in research and student aid funding from external sources and ranks 15th in the nation for significant awards to faculty for research efforts.
Research in the health sciences spans many fields of study. From genetics, to molecular biology – from biomedical engineering to drug and pharmaceutical research; University of Utah researchers are on the leading edge of the development and enhancement of knowledge in the medical and health sciences.
Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah today announced the appointment of Cornelia Ulrich, PhD, MS, as director of its National Cancer Institute-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. She will oversee HCI’s academic consortium of nearly 200 cancer research teams. Ulrich will lead efforts to advance HCI’s research in laboratory, clinical and population science, with the goal of improving cancer prevention and treatment. – Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah today announced the appointment of Cornelia Ulrich, PhD, MS, as director of its National Cancer Institute-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. She will oversee HCI’s academic consortium of nearly 200 cancer research teams. Ulrich will lead efforts to advance HCI’s research in laboratory, clinical and population science, with the goal of improving cancer prevention and treatment. ... Read More
Education, Clinical, Research, Health Care TransformationJul 11, 2018
Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) physician-scientist Ahmad Halwani, MD, has been selected by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to receive a Cancer Clinical Investigator Team Leadership Award. This award recognizes physician-scientists for their contributions to clinical cancer research. It also provides financial support for ongoing research and leadership development to enable recipients to further advance their clinical research careers.... Read More
Research, Education, Clinical, Health Care TransformationJul 10, 2018
University of Utah Health has announced the creation of a new endowed chair, The Dr. Russell M. Nelson and Dantzel W. Nelson Presidential Chair in Cardiothoracic Surgery, to honor the legacy of a medical pioneer and global leader... Read More
The University of Utah and the Huntsman Family Foundation have announced the creation of twelve presidential faculty chairs in health sciences. The Jon M. Huntsman Presidential Chairs provide sweeping support to academic researchers, educators, and clinicians spanning a wide array of fields. ... Read More
Paul Sigala, Ph.D., assistant professor of biochemistry at University of Utah Health, was named a 2018 Pew Scholar for his lab’s interdisciplinary approach to developing novel methods for combatting malaria, one of the most common infectious diseases and a public health threat worldwide.... Read More
With a $5 million grant from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) and the American Heart Association, University of Utah Health is leading a center to develop and test tools that spur constructive conversations between health care providers and patients. ... Read More
Researchers are turning to safety protocols to reduce the transmission of antibiotic-resistant organisms, like Clostridium difficile, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and influenza. The health care environment, however, may be setting health care workers up for failure.... Read More
Nearly 80 million Americans — one out of every four people — are infected with human papillomavirus (HPV). And of those millions, more than 31,000 will be diagnosed with an HPV-related cancer this year. Despite those staggering figures and the availability of a vaccine to prevent the infections that cause these cancers, HPV vaccination remains low in the United States. ... Read More
University of Utah will host the 2nd annual Building Research Integrity Through Reproducibility conference to be held on June 15, 2018 at the S. J. Quinney College of Law.... Read More
University of Utah Health today launched The Wellness Bus, a unique approach to directly reach underserved communities in the fight against Type 2 diabetes, including those populations particularly at risk for developing the disease. ... Read More
On April 3, 2018, we learned a computer and associated external storage device used to take and store retinal images were stolen from the U of U Health John A. Moran Eye Center. ... Read More
Often what kills cancer patients is not the cancer at its original or primary site, but its spread to secondary sites within the body, through a process called metastasis. In the case of breast cancer, the tumor often spreads to the bone, and it is this bone metastasis that results in intense pain and precedes spread to other organs.... Read More
Health Care Transformation, Clinical, Education, ResearchMay 24, 2018
Three common antidepressants – Paxil (paroxetine), Lexapro (escitalopram), and Prozac (fluoxetine) – could be less effective at high elevations, suggests research involving lab rats and led by scientists at University of Utah Health.... Read More
University of Utah Health announced a gift of $1.25 million to create the Fred W. and Christine A. Fairclough Endowed Chair in the Department of Neurology. Kevin C. (KC) Brennan, MD, has been named as the first recipient. Dr. Brennan is a clinician scientist who specializes in the treatment of headache disorders, in particular migraine and post-traumatic headaches.... Read More
University of Utah Health biochemist Dana Carroll, Ph.D., is one of four honorees who will be awarded the 2018 Governor’s Medal for Science and Technology. ... Read More
BiochemistryClinical, Research, Education, Health Care TransformationMay 18, 2018
The researchers examined 17 years of transplantation records and found no significant change in the recipients’ chance of survival when the organ donation came from victims of drug intoxication. The study publishes online on May 17 in the New England Journal of Medicine. ... Read More
Health Care Transformation, Research, Education, ClinicalMay 10, 2018
Huntsman Cancer Institute announced today that it has been certified to offer both chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The therapies are approved for types of aggressive blood cancers, including B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. HCI is one of a few locations nationwide, and the only in the Mountain West, approved to offer these new therapies to adult cancer patients.... Read More
Education, Clinical, Health Care Transformation, ResearchMay 08, 2018
Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah (U of U) today announced the opening of the Cancer Population Sciences and Huntsman Center for Health Outcomes and Population Equity (HOPE), a new research and clinical space dedicated to preventing cancer and improving health among underserved populations and improving outcomes in cancer patients. The center recently received $9.7 million from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) to fund a clinical trial researching new and effective approaches to reduce tobacco use.... Read More
Research, Clinical, Health Care Transformation, EducationMay 04, 2018
A new University of Utah Health study led by Julie Fritz, PT, Ph.D., will seek to help patients gain relief from low back pain thanks to a $9.7 million grant from Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI).... Read More
Select...Clinical, Research, Health Care Transformation, EducationMay 01, 2018
Gliomas are the most common type of central nervous system cancer but how these tumors develop is not fully understood. Sheri Holmen, PhD a researcher at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) and professor of surgery at the University of Utah just published the results of her research on gliomas in Cell Reports. The work is focused on a mutated gene that is a critical piece of the puzzle for glioma development, according to Holmen’s work.... Read More
Researchers at the University of Utah Health are looking to the salience network of the brain to develop music-based treatments to help alleviate anxiety in patients with dementia. Their research will appear in the April online issue of The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease.... Read More
University of Utah Health has received a $22 million renewal of the Clinical and Translational Science Award to help amplify translational research to ensure discoveries reach patients faster and improve health care. ... Read More
A team of students from University of Utah Health set out to help mitigate these frustrations with a medical device they presented at the 2018 annual Bench-to-Bedside competition. Their team, PreOv, received the $50,000 grand prize for its low-cost, user-friendly device that accurately provides couples with real-time fertility information.
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Research, Education, Clinical, Health Care TransformationApr 18, 2018
University of Utah Health, along with co-sponsoring organizations the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA), The Laura W Bush Institute for Women’s Health, and The Mayo Clinic will present the 2018 Sex and Gender Health Education (SGHE) Summit, April 8-10 in Salt Lake City. ... Read More
Select...Clinical, Research, Health Care Transformation, EducationApr 05, 2018
Science is known for its rigor. Exemplary experiments are systematic and controlled, and, in fields such as medicine, examining large populations is key. Meticulous science has translated into medical advances that are coming at a furious pace. But when it comes to serving minority populations, research has missed the mark. Health disparities have developed, and the risks of this gross oversight have become all too apparent.... Read More
Imagine that you are diagnosed with a fatal disease caused by a defect in a single gene. If technology existed that could "edit" the error and cure the disease, would you use it? Would you edit a gene that caused a significant disability, such as blindness? What about for a genetic trait that increases your risk of obesity or alcoholism? Would your decisions change if it were your child’s genome? ... Read More
The Utah Genome Project (UGP) aims to investigate the genetic basis of human disease through genomic sequencing of Utah families to discover, understand, prevent and treat challenging medical conditions. ... Read More
Research, Education, Clinical, Health Care TransformationMar 22, 2018
The idea of humans being masters of their own fate is as much a lie as it is true. What’s to be done if you find yourself genetically predisposed to heart failure, depression, cancer? You play the hand you’re dealt. ... Read More
Health Care Transformation, Education, Research, ClinicalMar 15, 2018
Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah (U of U) has been selected to participate in the Beat AML Master Trial, an innovative clinical trial sponsored by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). The clinical trial is testing several new targeted therapies for the treatment of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). HCI is the only facility in the Mountain West offering this trial to AML patients. ... Read More
Research, Education, Clinical, Health Care TransformationMar 13, 2018
New research from Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah (U of U) indicates steroid and hormone receptors are simultaneously active in many endometrial cancer tissues. The findings, published today in the journal Cell Reports, yield insights about factors that contribute to more aggressive endometrial tumors. ... Read More
Clinical, Health Care Transformation, Research, EducationMar 12, 2018
Hitachi, Ltd., and University of Utah Health today announced the joint development of a decision support system that allows clinicians and patients to choose from available pharmaceutical options for treating type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). ... Read More
Scientists at University of Utah Health are using animals' unique traits to pinpoint regions of the human genome that might affect health. The results of this project are available in the March 6 issue of the journal Cell Reports.... Read More
Human GeneticsClinical, Health Care Transformation, Education, ResearchFeb 28, 2018
Scientists at University of Utah Health developed the HER Salt Lake Contraceptive Initiative to evaluate women's contraception choices if cost is not a factor. The research findings are published in the February 22 issue of the American Journal of Public Health.... Read More
The Board of Directors of Huntsman Cancer Foundation has elected Peter R. Huntsman as Chairman of the Board effective immediately. He replaces his father, Jon M. Huntsman, Sr., who founded Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) and was its principal benefactor. Jon M. Huntsman passed away earlier this month. ... Read More
Health Care Transformation, Clinical, Education, ResearchFeb 15, 2018
New research from Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah (U of U) illuminates aspects of how an early embryo, the product of fertilization of a female egg cell by a male sperm cell, can give rise to all the many cell types of the adult animal. The findings, published today in the journal Cell, have significant implications for understanding how early development is orchestrated, and provides a mechanism for how parental environment might impact the expression of these genes in the offspring.... Read More
Education, Clinical, Research, Health Care TransformationFeb 12, 2018
Association between maternal sleep practices and late stillbirth not justified, according to U of U Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine; pregnant women can rest easy that sleeping on their backs does not lead to an increased risk of stillbirth.... Read More
Scientists at University of Utah Health believe they identified a mechanism that activates T cells, a key component of the immune system, which could explain the elusive link between a tick bite and persistent Lyme arthritis. ... Read More
Education, Clinical, Research, Health Care TransformationFeb 01, 2018
Researchers have identified two gene regions that contribute to multiple myeloma, an inherited cancer that occurs in bone marrow, through a new method that makes use of human disease pedigrees. Nicola Camp and Rosalie Waller of Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah and colleagues report their findings February 1st in PLOS Genetics. ... Read More
Education, Health Care Transformation, Clinical, ResearchJan 31, 2018
A new study revealed patients receiving radiofrequency catheter ablation compared to traditional drug therapies for atrial fibrillation (AF), a contributing factor to heart failure, had significantly lower hospitalization and mortality rates. The findings are published in the February 1 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. ... Read More
As of January 29, 2018 every infant born in Utah will be screened for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). The Utah Department of Health (UDOH) Newborn Screening Program tests blood samples from approximately 52,000 newborns every year and identifies nearly 400 infants who suffer from more than 40 different disorders. Utah and Massachusetts are the first states to begin screening for SMA.... Read More
Researchers at The University of Utah School of Dentistry have completed a first-of-its-kind study that integrates comprehensive oral health care with treatment for substance use disorder. ... Read More
Investigators at University of Utah Health and a consortium of international scientists have sequenced the three billion bases of DNA in the human genome using an inexpensive, portable device. Reaching the milestone puts genome sequencing at scientists' fingertips, opening the technology to a myriad of possible uses. ... Read More
The Immunology, Inflammation and Infectious Disease Initiative at the University of Utah has awarded seed grants to eight projects that support the initiative's aim of exploring the fundamental function of the immune system as it relates to infectious and autoimmune diseases, like diabetes and heart disease.... Read More
Education, Research, Clinical, Health Care TransformationJan 16, 2018
The achievements and challenges of this past year are a reminder of what we stand for as the only academic medical center in the Mountain West.
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A protein involved in cognition and storing long-term memories looks and acts like a protein from viruses. The protein, called Arc, has properties similar to those that viruses use for infecting host cells, and originated from a chance evolutionary event that occurred hundreds of millions of years ago.... Read More
A research team led by scientists at University of Utah Health have developed an online interactive app to help motivate patients to be more physically active to manage their disease. ... Read More
Biomedical InformaticsClinical, Education, Research, Health Care TransformationJan 09, 2018
Air pollution trapped along the Wasatch Front by winter inversions are estimated to send more than 200 people to the emergency room with pneumonia each year, according to a study by University of Utah Health and Intermountain Healthcare. Bad air quality especially erodes the health of adults over age 65, a population particularly vulnerable to the effects of pneumonia. ... Read More
University of Utah Health’s sixth annual Utah Cardiac Recovery Symposium (U-CARS) brings together national leaders for this unique two-day event aimed at advancing the field of heart recovery. ... Read More
A new cancer treatment technology is one step closer to Salt Lake City. Today Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah (U of U) announced a plan to add a proton therapy center to its Cancer Hospital. The center will be the only one of its kind in the region. The plan will now move forward to the next steps of approval, design and vendor selection. ... Read More
Scientists at University of Utah Health have determined the structure a tiny cellular machine that chops the viruses’ genetic material into bits. Their research shows how the machine detects the intruders and processes them for destruction to protect cells and prevent the spread of infection. ... Read More
BiochemistryHealth Care Transformation, Clinical, ResearchNov 29, 2017
University of Utah Health today announced results of the Value in Health Care Survey, a landmark study that examines the viewpoints of patients, physicians and employers—three stakeholder groups that directly receive, provide, and pay for health care. The study explores how these groups perceive value and prioritize its components of quality, service and cost. ... Read More
Research, Health Care Transformation, Clinical, EducationNov 28, 2017
A new study suggests that despite the rise in these high-deductible health plans (HDHPs), most Americans who have them aren’t saving, shopping around for better prices, talking to their doctors about costs, or making other consumer-type moves. ... Read More
A new study by researchers at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah observed how breast cancer tumors evolve over time and demonstrated how changes within tumors may contribute to the process by which cancers no longer respond to treatment. Further, the research identifies that some of these changes may be shared across certain treatment-resistant breast cancers. The study was published this month in Nature Communications. ... Read More
Risk for aging-related diseases such as heart disease and diabetes was significantly higher among thyroid cancer survivors in Utah than it was among age-matched, cancer-free individuals, with those diagnosed before age 40 having the highest risk for some of the diseases, according to results published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research... Read More
Education, Clinical, Research, Health Care TransformationNov 14, 2017
All cancer treatments and medications that are used today, at one point, were clinical trials. Clinical trials can offer hope, particularly in a complex disease like cancer. But getting access to clinical trials can be difficult, especially if patients have to travel a long distance to a hospital that offers trials.
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Clinical, Research, Recognition, Education, Nov 13, 2017
The University of Utah today announced that The Larry H. and Gail Miller Family Foundation will donate $5.3 million to establish a diabetes prevention program called “Driving Out Diabetes: A Larry H. Miller Family Wellness Initiative.” ... Read More
People with an inherited syndrome called familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) have a 100% lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer if they do not seek appropriate medical care. Recent findings published by researchers at Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah identified a promising prevention treatment for patients with FAP. ... Read More
Research, Recognition, Health Care Transformation, ClinicalNov 01, 2017
The University of Utah today announced that the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation will donate $47.5 million for a new, state-of-the-art rehabilitation hospital as part of the redevelopment and modernization of the university’s health sciences campus. The 75-bed hospital, to be named the Craig H. Neilsen Rehabilitation Hospital, will be one of the most advanced rehabilitation facilities in the nation and will serve as a catalyst for the further development of the university’s rehabilitation programs.... Read More
When she was first diagnosed with ovarian cancer, Dr. Jan Byrne didn't know of any survivors of the disease.
"It's a devastating disease — a silent killer," she said. "A lot of people don't make it."
Byrne's cancer was found in the early stages, however, and after six months of chemotherapy and three major surgeries at Huntsman Cancer Institute, she survived.
It's been six years.... Read More
Clinical, Education, Research, Health Care TransformationOct 25, 2017
A study published today in Cell Systems highlights a new research method using the recently developed CRISPR technique. In short, CRISPR is a technology that allows researchers to cut out a section of DNA that causes a disease, like cancer, and then replace the section with normal, healthy genes.... Read More
Researchers at University of Utah Health have identified a protein (ARF6) that when inhibited reduces diabetic retinopathy, a condition that results when blood vessels at the back of the eye leak fluid into the eye, impairing vision. ... Read More
Internal MedicineEducation, Health Care Transformation, Research, ClinicalOct 20, 2017
Carrie Byington, MD, whose world-class work as a clinician researcher in pediatric infectious disease, has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine (NAM). ... Read More
PediatricsClinical, Research, Health Care Transformation, EducationOct 19, 2017
The results of a national cancer survey find a significant number of childhood cancer survivors are worried about keeping their health insurance, to the point of letting it affect their career decisions. The findings were published today in JAMA Oncology. Anne Kirchhoff, PhD, investigator at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah and assistant professor of pediatrics, led the study. Her goal was to examine the prevalence of job lock in full-time, employed childhood cancer survivors. Job lock is when an employee stays at a job in order to keep work-related health insurance.
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This $24 million grant, which will be distributed over five years, will empower research efforts to explore the fundamental structural biology of the HIV virus, from replication to infection. ... Read More
Wendy Chapman, Ph.D., the chair of biomedical informatics at University of Utah Health whose informatics tools have been applied toward addressing a wide array of problems in health care, has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine (NAM). ... Read More
David Turok MD MPH, Associate Professor and Family Planning Division Director in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology has been awarded a five-year Mid-Career Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research (K24) from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD).
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U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes and staff who traveled to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the 2016 Summer Games did not become infected with Zika virus but did test positive for other tropical, mosquito-borne viral infections, including West Nile Virus, Dengue Fever and Chikungunya. ... Read More
PediatricsClinical, Research, Health Care Transformation, EducationOct 05, 2017
New research from scientists at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah and collaborators at University of Utah Health (U of U Health) sheds light on the complex process that occurs in the development of human sperm stem cells. This is the first study to characterize the changes human sperm stem cells undergo as they mature. The results have implications for understanding male infertility as well as cancer development and were published today in the journal Cell Stem Cell. ... Read More
A new study shows that patients reap a number of health benefits that persist long-term. They not only maintain weight loss but also have a lower incidence of diabetes and high blood pressure.... Read More
A University of Utah-led nationwide clinical trial will test a novel approach to combat hearing loss in children infected by a relatively unknown virus, cytomegalovirus (CMV). ... Read More
Researchers at University of Utah Health clarified a molecular pathway responsible for the formation of cleft palate and identified a new treatment to reverse this defect in mouse pups in-utero. ... Read More
Researchers at the University of Utah Health and Janssen Research & Development, LLC have partnered to identify genetic variations associated with an increased risk for suicide.
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Scientists and musicians are joining forces as part of the Sound Health Initiative, a partnership between the National Institutes of Health and the Kennedy Center, to study exactly how music affects the brain.... Read More
Scientists from University of Utah Health report that delivering a single dose of a nutritional supplement called L-carnitine to older mice restores a youthful ability to adapt to the cold. After treatment, they tolerate chilly conditions that would ordinarily trigger hypothermia.
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Radiofrequency catheter ablation lowered hospitalization and mortality rates by 47 and 44 percent respectively in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), a contributing factor to heart failure. ... Read More
Early placement of a hormonal IUD is a safe, long-term birth control method that does not negatively affect women who want to breastfeed their baby.... Read More
Researchers at University of Utah Health devised a system that allowed zebrafish to self-administer opioids to study drug-seeking behavior. ... Read More
Removing a single gene from the brains of mice and zebrafish causes these animals to become more anxious than normal. Researchers from University of Utah Health show that eliminating the gene encoding Lef1 disrupts the development of certain nerve cells in the hypothalamus that affect stress and anxiety. ... Read More
Two studies provide additional support for lowering systolic blood pressure to an intensive goal of 120 mmHg – far below the standard guidelines of 140 mmHg – to reduce the risk of heart disease in high-risk patients with hypertension. The new research shows that intensive blood pressure control is well-tolerated by patients and is cost-effective in terms of health-related quality of life and financial costs to the healthcare system.... Read More
Janice Hanson's journey, which began with the birth of her first child 57 years earlier, culminated with the discovery of a rare genetic mutation responsible for the constellation of symptoms that restricted, but never stopped her children from seeking the most out of life.
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As the excitement builds and the entire country counts down to the total eclipse of the sun on August 21, ophthalmologists, planetariums, astronomical societies, and the media are all doing their best to get the word out about why and how you need to protect your eyes. ... Read More
Value is king at University of Utah Health. More than a decade ago, visionary leaders lunged for the brass ring of value, and they haven’t let go. This effort goes beyond the clinical enterprise. ... Read More
The University of Utah ranked 19th in the world on the Nature Index, a list of top institutions that produce the high-quality research behind commercialized goods and services. ... Read More
Rena D’Souza, D.D.S., Ph.D., Professor of Dentistry at the University of Utah Health received a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to build on her past research to characterize the genetics that prevent tooth formation and develop therapies to reverse this process. ... Read More
U.S. News & World Report has released its 2017-2018 Best Hospital Rankings. For the fourth consecutive year, University of Utah Hospital was ranked No. 1 in Utah and in the Salt Lake City metro area. University of Utah’s Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) was also ranked number 38 in the country for cancer care, while the university’s Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialty was ranked 18th nationwide.... Read More
Like the rest of the body, the brain loses flexibility with age, impacting the ability to learn, remember, and adapt. Now, scientists at University of Utah Health report they can rejuvenate the plasticity of the mouse brain, specifically in the visual cortex. Published today in PNAS, the study shows that manipulating a single gene triggers the shift, revealing it as a target for new treatments to recover the brain’s youthful potential. ... Read More
Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah is the first cancer center in the United States to use a new, state-of-the-art CT scanner that allows doctors to view higher quality, personalized images of a patient’s tumor. The scanner, called the Somatom Confidence 64 from Siemens, boasts numerous features that create more detailed images, giving physicians the ability to direct their therapy precisely where it’s needed.... Read More
Clinical, Education, Health Care Transformation, ResearchJul 17, 2017
he Huntsman Cancer Institute, respected worldwide for its medical treatment of patients, also offers Chinese practices of deep breathing, meditation and gentle movement to help patients with recovery.... Read More
Research, Health Care Transformation, Education, ClinicalJul 15, 2017
Fox News reporter Abby Huntsman recently visited Salt Lake City to tour Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah and learn more about the cancer center's research impact. ... Read More
Scientists have had limited success at identifying specific inherited genes associated with prostate cancer. Researchers studied prostate cancer patients with multiple cancer diagnoses, many who would not be recommended for genetic tests following current guidelines, to identify genetic mutations that may influence cancer risk. ... Read More
90 to 95 percent of ALS cases are “sporadic”, meaning these patients had no clear family history of the condition, and therefore no indication that they were at risk. A new study by investigators at University of Utah health shows that approximately one-fifth of these cases do have signs of a genetic predisposition toward the disease: these patients carry detrimental mutations associated with the familial form of ALS.... Read More
The American Heart Association (AHA) awarded investigators at University of Utah Health $3.7 million to conduct collaborative research to prevent and treat congenital heart disease. U of U Health is one of four groups across the country to join the AHA’s Strategically Focused Research Network (SFRN) for children.... Read More
Chemicals billionaire Jon Huntsman Sr. is one of the world’s great optimists. His mom died of cancer in her 50s, and he’s battled four different forms of the disease. His response was to launch the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah in the 1990s. His audacious goal: to eradicate the most challenging forms of cancer in one generation. Then, says his son, Peter Huntsman, only half joking, with cancer research beat, he hopes they’ll be able to turn the cancer institute into a hotel.... Read More
“Yarraman flu is a virus quickly infecting the U.S. .…” The mock announcement was enough to make readers worry. But when the name of the hypothetical illness was changed to “horse flu”, readers reported being less motivated to get a vaccine that would prevent them from contracting the illness. The research was published as two studies in Vaccine and Emerging Infectious Diseases.
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Antibiotics were the wonder drug of the 20th century, but many bacteria have evolved resistance. According to the CDC, more than two million people in the United States develop bacterial infections that are resistant to multiple antibiotics every year.... Read More
Erhu Cao, Ph.D., assistant professor of biochemistry at University of Utah Health, was named a 2017 Pew Scholar for his exploration of atomic-scale mechanisms to understand how cell membrane proteins function under normal and diseased states.... Read More
Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) and the College of Pharmacy at University of Utah Health (U of U Health) have been awarded a $9.1 million, five-year grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to serve as a Research Center in NCI’s Cancer Systems Biology Consortium (CSBC). HCI is one of nine research institutions nationwide to be selected as a Research Center in the CSBC. ... Read More
Clinical, Research, Education, Health Care TransformationMay 30, 2017
SALT LAKE CITY – Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) and the College of Pharmacy at the University of Utah (U of U) have been awarded a $9.1 million, five-year grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to serve as a Research Center in NCI’s Cancer Systems Biology Consortium (CSBC). HCI is one of nine research institutions nationwide to be selected as a Research Center in the CSBC. ... Read More
SALT LAKE CITY – Mary Beckerle, PhD, CEO and Director of Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah, has been elected to highly distinguished membership in the American Philosophical Society (APS), joining a group of 32 inductees that includes former United States president Barack Obama. ... Read More
Research, Health Care Transformation, Education, ClinicalMay 15, 2017
Carson City, Nev. – Today, May 15, Carson Tahoe Cancer Center opened a new blood and bone marrow transplant care clinic with support from the Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah. Under the collaboration, a Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) physician and nurse from HCI will travel to Carson City once a month to treat patients both before and after they receive a transplant. ... Read More
As commencement nears, the University of Utah Health wants to recognize the accomplishments of their faculty. U of U Health is pleased to announce this year’s recipients of teaching, career and distinguished professor awards.
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Distinguished professor of biochemistry Dana Carroll, Ph.D., who has devoted much of his career to developing precise genome editing platforms, received one of the highest honors in science today when he was elected to the prestigious National Academy of Sciences.... Read More
BiochemistryClinical, Health Care Transformation, Research, EducationMay 01, 2017
Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah and Intermountain Cancer Centers announce a new collaboration today designed to meet the needs of adolescents and young adults (AYAs) between the ages of 15 and 39 who have been diagnosed with cancer. Each year over 1,000 adolescents and young adults in Utah are diagnosed with cancer, yet research has shown a number of gaps in their care. ... Read More
This automated machine could reduce a surgical procedure from two hours to two and a half minutes by replacing hand drills for one type of complex cranial surgery. ... Read More
A study published April 25 in Cell Reports reveals that cognitive stimulation, social interactions, and physical activity increase lifespan in mice with colon cancer by triggering the body's wound repair response.... Read More
Oncological SciencesClinical, Education, Research, Health Care TransformationApr 25, 2017
Living in a stimulating environment has a wide range of health benefits in humans and has even been shown to fight cancer in mice, but the underlying mechanisms have been unclear. A study published April 25 in Cell Reports reveals that cognitive stimulation, social interactions, and physical activity increase lifespan in mice with colon cancer by triggering the body's wound repair response.... Read More
Our world seems to grow smaller by the day as biodiversity rapidly dwindles, but Mother Earth still has a surprise or two up her sleeve. An international team of researchers were the first to investigate a never before studied species—a giant, black, mud dwelling, worm-like animal. The odd animal doesn’t seem to eat much, instead it gets its energy from a form of sulfur. ... Read More
Scientists report a significant step toward combatting two degenerative brain diseases that chip away at an individual’s ability to move, and think. A targeted therapy developed by scientists at University of Utah Health slows the progression of a condition in mice that mimics a rare disease called ataxia. In a parallel collaborative study, led by researchers at Stanford University, a nearly identical treatment improves the health of mice that model Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), commonly called Lou Gehrig’s disease. ... Read More
NeurologyEducation, Clinical, Research, Health Care TransformationApr 12, 2017
University of Utah professors Bradley R. Cairns, professor and chair of Oncological Sciences and senior director of Basic Science at Huntsman Cancer Institute; Dana Carroll, distinguished professor of Biochemistry and HCI investigator; and Christopher D. Hacon, distinguished professor of Mathematics, were raised to a high honor in science today with their election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.... Read More
University of Utah professors Bradley R. Cairns, Ph.D., professor and chair of Oncological Sciences and senior director of Basic Science at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI); Dana Carroll, Ph.D., distinguished professor of Biochemistry; and Christopher D. Hacon, Ph.D., distinguished professor of Mathematics, were raised to a high honor in science today with their election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.... Read More
More than 20 researchers from Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah made their mark on the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting this year. Held in Washington, D.C., the convention drew more than 21,500 cancer researchers from all over the world. Scientists attended sessions on topics from immunotherapy to precision medicine. About 15 researchers from HCI presented posters in the main conference hall, on a wide range of topics. ... Read More
The University of Utah is one of just five institutions in the world to be awarded a $2.5 million grant to purchase a state of the art cryo-electron microscope (cryo-EM), the Beckman Foundation announced today. The microscope, which will be able to visualize the structure of proteins and DNA at an atom-by-atom scale, will be installed in the Crocker Science Center, currently under construction on Presidents Circle. The microscope’s resolution is fine enough to see details such as the double-helix and ladder structure of DNA, said biochemistry professor Wesley Sundquist.... Read More
With just an inexpensive micro-thin surgical needle and laser light, University of Utah engineers and biologists have collaborated to discover a minimally invasive, inexpensive way to take high-resolution pictures of an animal brain, a process that also could lead to a much less invasive method for humans.... Read More
With just an inexpensive micro-thin surgical needle and laser light, University of Utah engineers and biologists have collaborated to discover a minimally invasive, inexpensive way to take high-resolution pictures of an animal brain, a process that also could lead to a much less invasive method for humans.... Read More
University of Utah Health colleges and programs remain among the best in the nation in primary care, research, physician assistant training, nurse midwifery, pharmacy and other areas, according to the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings. ... Read More
Two screening tests often used to try to predict which pregnant women are likely to deliver prematurely aren’t effective in low-risk women, according to a national collaborative study of more than 10,000 women, led by clinician-researchers at University of Utah Health Sciences and Intermountain Healthcare. ... Read More
During the past decade, the gut has experienced a renaissance as investigations focus on the role of the microbiome on human health. While most studies have focused on bacteria, the dominant microbial inhabitants in the gut, scientists at University of Utah Health Sciences used mouse studies to show the role of yeast in aggravating the symptoms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Their work suggests that allopurinol, a generic drug already on the market, could offer some relief. ... Read More
PathologyClinical, Education, Research, Health Care TransformationMar 08, 2017
Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah is partnering with the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to implement a nationwide colorectal cancer outreach and education initiative in support of increasing colorectal cancer screening rates in rural, frontier, and culturally diverse communities in Utah. The Screen to Save Initiative will launch in March at HCI and 48 other cancer centers around the nation, targeting average risk adults age 50 and older.
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Health Care Transformation, Clinical, Education, ResearchMar 07, 2017
As Dr. Dean Li's career takes an exciting new trajectory with Merck & Co., we celebrate his 23-year legacy of innovation and leadership that will propel the University of Utah forward for years to come.
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Patients undergoing chemotherapy often experience difficult but treatable symptoms – including fatigue, pain, and nausea - in between healthcare appointments. But because providers are often not aware of them, some patients undergo unnecessary suffering. A new study by investigators at Huntsman Cancer Institute and the College of Nursing at the University of Utah shows that relief could be just a phone call away.... Read More
It has long been thought that each copy of our DNA instructions - one inherited from mom and one from dad - is treated the same. A new study from scientists at the University of Utah School of Medicine shows that it is not uncommon for cells in the brain to preferentially activate one copy over the other. The finding breaks basic tenants of classic genetics and suggests new ways in which genetic mutations might cause brain disorders.
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A tiny snail may offer an alternative to opioids for pain relief. Scientists at the University of Utah have found a compound that blocks pain by targeting a pathway not associated with opioids. Research in rodents indicates that the benefits continue long after the compound have cleared the body. ... Read More
PsychiatryResearch, Education, Clinical, Health Care TransformationFeb 15, 2017
Research published today in Nature from scientists at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah shows how epithelial cells naturally turn over, maintaining constant numbers between cell division and cell death.
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Researchers have projected that aggressively lowering blood pressure could help prevent more than 100,000 deaths in the U.S. each year. Experts from the University of Utah and institutions across the country built upon the landmark Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial which found that decreasing blood pressure to 120 mmHg compared to 140 mmHg reduced heart attack, stroke and death in people that were at high risk. Until now, the number of lives that could be saved was unknown.... Read More
Evolution is often thought of as a gradual remodeling of the genome, the genetic blueprints for building an organism. But in some instances it might be more appropriate to call it an overhaul. Over the past 100 million years, the human lineage has lost one-fifth of its DNA, while an even greater amount was added, report scientists at the University of Utah School of Medicine. Until now, the extent to which our genome has expanded and contracted had been underappreciated. ... Read More
Over the past two decades there has been a sharp rise in the number and severity of infections caused by the bacteria Clostridium difficile often shortened to C. diff now the most common hospital acquired infection in the United States. But a new study suggests that the most routinely prescribed antibiotic is not the best treatment for severe cases. Scientists at the VA Salt Lake City Health Care System and University of Utah report that patients with a severe C. diff infection (CDI) were less likely to die when treated with the antibiotic vancomycin compared to the standard treatment of metronidazole. ... Read More
Internal MedicineResearch, Health Care Transformation, Education, ClinicalJan 30, 2017
Actors Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen spent two hours visiting patients at Huntsman Cancer Institute on Sunday, January 22. The “Avengers: Age of Ultron” and “Captain America: Civil War” co-stars were in town promoting their Sundance film “Wind River.” Before flying back to Los Angeles, they took time to stop by the hospital and talk with cancer patients and staff.... Read More
Education, Health Care Transformation, Research, ClinicalJan 25, 2017
Once breast cancer spreads through the body, it can degrade a patient’s healthy bones, causing numerous problems. Scientists at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah have identified a new way that bones get destroyed through cancer. And they’ve also learned how to block that destruction with a new drug. Initial tests with patients show promising results.... Read More
Once breast cancer spreads through the body, it can degrade a patient’s healthy bones, causing numerous problems. Scientists at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah have identified a new way that bones get destroyed through cancer. And they’ve also learned how to block that destruction with a new drug. Initial tests with patients show promising results.... Read More
Emergency body cooling does not improve survival or functional outcomes in children who experience in-hospital cardiac arrest any more than normal temperature control, according to a multicenter study led by the University of Michigan and University of Utah.... Read More
As many as three out of four surgery patients could be receiving anti-clotting medications that they do not need, according to a study led by investigators at the University of Utah School of Medicine.... Read More
Investigators at the University of Utah have identified distinct differences in the hearts of advanced heart failure patients who have defied the odds and showed signs of recovery from the disease. Published online in the journal Circulation, the new findings could help clinicians identify the best candidates for cardiac recovery therapies.... Read More
As commuters shimmy past large trucks on the road, they may glance over and wonder, “How safe is that driver next to me?” If the truck driver is in poor health, the answer could be: Not very. Commercial truck drivers with three or more medical conditions double to quadruple their chance for being in a crash than healthier drivers, reports a new study led by investigators at the University of Utah School of Medicine. ... Read More
New research from scientists at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah uncovered distinct types of tumors within small cell lung cancer that look and act differently from one another. Scientists also identified a targeted drug combination that worked well with one specific tumor type. The study was published today in Cancer Cell. The findings suggest small cell lung cancer should not be treated as a uniform disease... Read More
Education, Research, Clinical, Health Care TransformationJan 10, 2017
Recognizing a critical need to improve national vaccination rates for human papillomavirus (HPV), Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah has united with each of the 69 National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer centers in support of recently revised recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).... Read More
Can a failing heart recover? For many years, the answer to that question was unequivocally “No.” But as the University of Utah School of Medicine’s annual Utah Cardiac Recovery Symposium (U-CARS) will explore on Jan. 12-13, advances in treating heart failure are giving physicians, surgeons and researchers reason to hope the deadly disease might one day be defeated.
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After all the lifting, hauling and wrapping, worn out gift givers may blame the season’s physical strain for any shoulder soreness they are feeling. It turns out there could be another reason. A new study led by investigators at the University of Utah School of Medicine finds that individuals with symptoms that put them at increased risk for heart disease could be more likely to have shoulder problems, including joint pain and rotator cuff injury. ... Read More
It was an exceptional year for the Health Sciences clinical mission, for our students who train at one of the top systems in the nation, and for accelerating discoveries that can change the way we practice and deliver science and medicine. Enjoy our 2016 year-end recap.
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Research, Health Care Transformation, Education, ClinicalDec 19, 2016
Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah will head an international study to find out how lifestyle and other health factors impact colon and rectal cancer outcomes. HCI was awarded an $8.8 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to lead and expand an ongoing project in colon cancer research.... Read More
Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah will head an international study to find out how lifestyle and other health factors impact colon and rectal cancer outcomes. HCI was awarded an $8.8 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to lead and expand an ongoing project in colon cancer research.... Read More
Select...Health Care Transformation, Education, Research, ClinicalDec 13, 2016
As Dr. Carrie Byington prepares to return to her alma mater, Texas A&M, we celebrate her 21 years of incredible service and lasting contributions at the University of Utah.
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Precision medicine promises health care tailored to every individual, a mission that opens exciting possibilities and poses unique challenges. How do we control cost, equalize access to care, and speed the journey to success? On Dec 1 and 2, 2016, scientists, doctors, lawyers, and ethicists from across the country met to discuss these topics, and more.... Read More
Precision medicine has a commitment problem. There’s no question that understanding the biology behind disease can lead to tailored treatments. Take the cancer drug crizotinib, for example. It can extend the life of some of the 7 percent of lung cancer patients who have an abnormality in a particular gene. But right now, there aren’t nearly enough targeteted drugs like it. ... Read More
The University of Utah Hospital is one of 19 transplant hospitals nationwide and the only hospital in Utah named to participate in the COIIN (Collaborative Innovation and Improvement Network) pilot program, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced.... Read More
Select...,SurgeryResearch, Clinical, Health Care TransformationDec 06, 2016
Whether you’re a family doctor weary of one-size-fits-all approaches to treating your patients, a science junkie, or the parent of a child with a mysterious, undiagnosed disease, it’s easy to get excited about the budding promise of precision medicine.... Read More
Research, Health Care Transformation, ClinicalDec 05, 2016
Cancer is expensive. And precisely targeted cancer is even more costly. With specialized oncology drugs now the driving force behind spiking pharmaceutical prices across U.S. health care, cancer treatment highlights the Catch-22 of precision medicine: its life-changing genetic discoveries paired with (at-times) astronomical costs.... Read More
Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, when melanoma is caught early, there’s a 5-year survival rate of about 97%. Once the cancer spreads to other organs, the survival rate drops to 15–20%.... Read More
Clinical, Health Care Transformation, ResearchDec 01, 2016
Most people are willing to be poked and prodded if it means determining which mixture of chemicals kills colon cancer cells more efficiently, or identifying a rare genetic mutation that could prevent debilitating neurological conditions.... Read More
Health Care Transformation, Clinical, ResearchDec 01, 2016
Scientists from the University of Utah and University of Washington have developed blueprints that instruct human cells to assemble a virus-like delivery system that can transport custom cargo from one cell to another. As reported online in Nature on Nov. 30, the research is a step toward a nature-inspired means for delivering therapeutics directly to specific cell types within the body.... Read More
Religious and spiritual experiences activate the brain reward circuits in much the same way as love, sex, gambling, drugs and music, report researchers at the University of Utah School of Medicine. The findings were published Nov. 29 in the journal Social Neuroscience.
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Select...,RadiologyClinical, Education, Health Care Transformation, ResearchNov 22, 2016
Diane Fouts thought she had a bad cold.
It was the spring of 2015, and she had a cough that just wouldn’t go away. She went to see her doctor, who ordered a CT scan. The results were far more serious than a cold. Diane had lung cancer. She is not a smoker; in fact, she has never smoked.... Read More
The University of Utah College of Pharmacy’s Anticonvulsant Drug Development (ADD) Program has been awarded a five-year $19.5 million contract renewal with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to test drugs to treat epilepsy, and the major focus of the project is to address needs that affect millions of people worldwide –identify novel investigational compounds to prevent the development of epilepsy or to treat refractory, or drug-resistant, epilepsy. ... Read More
On Dec. 1-2, national experts in genetics, medicine, law, big data and other will fields gather for Frontiers in Precision Medicine II: Cancer, Big Data and the Public, a unique precision medicine symposium at the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. The symposium, sponsored by the U’s Colleges of Law, School of Medicine, Huntsman Cancer Institute, and the University of Utah Center for Excellence in ELSI Research (UCEER) addresses topics in law, ethics, and science as precision medicine is gaining more attention nationwide from health care systems, practitioners, researchers, insurers and federal agencies. ... Read More
Select...Research, Health Care Transformation, Education, ClinicalNov 15, 2016
Like any major illness, cancer affects more than the body. It wreaks havoc on the lives and emotions of patients and their families. Ask Judi Evans, who was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer and told she had just six months to live.
“My daughter and I looked at each other, and we said ‘no, we're not accepting that.’ So we immediately came to Huntsman Cancer Institute.”... Read More
Health Care Transformation, Clinical, Research, EducationNov 10, 2016
As part of its ongoing commitment to patient safety, Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah is standing with a national campaign to end a dangerous chemotherapy error. Just Bag It: The NCCN Campaign for Safe Vincristine Handling, launched today by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®), encourages health care providers to adopt a policy to always dilute and administer the medication vincristine in a mini IV-drip bag to prevent the improper administration of the drug.... Read More
We've still got a long way to go in supporting women in science and medicine. Nationwide, only 20 percent of assistant professors in STEM and medical colleges are women. And pay inequity is alive and well; A recent study of New England researchers found that male scientists received more than 2.5 times the startup funding than their female counterparts did.... Read More
Scanning this glossy photo, it doesn’t look like we have a gender problem: A dozen young female scientists are striving and thriving, tackling medical problems from how burns transform fat to the relationship between the microbiota and immunity. ... Read More
Research, Education, Health Care Transformation, ClinicalNov 10, 2016
Sometimes a therapy not often associated with cancer care can make a huge difference in a patient’s recovery. Massage therapy at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) complements standard cancer treatments such as radiation and chemotherapy. One patient says it’s improving his quality of life dramatically.... Read More
Published in October in Cell as part of a study led by scientists at the University of Utah School of Medicine, the structure reveals how specific mistakes in PKD2 triggers polycystic kidney disease, the most common inherited kidney disorder.... Read More
At University of Utah Health Sciences, we believe that the greatest discoveries in science and the biggest leaps in clinical care come from thinking outside our boxes, departments and disciplines.... Read More
For years, scientists have known that someone who is thin could still end up with diabetes. Yet an obese person may be surprisingly healthy. Now, new research led by scientists at University of Utah College of Health and published in Cell Metabolism points toward an answer to that riddle. An accumulation of a toxic class of fat metabolites, known as ceramides, may increase the risk for type 2 diabetes. ... Read More
When Joan Sheetz, M.D., and Anna C. Beck, M.D., met during their work at Salt Lake City’s Fourth Street Clinic for the homeless, they were able to recognize a shared interest in the humanistic side of medicine—the ability to look beyond the illness or injury to the person behind the problem. ... Read More
Clinical, Research, Education, Health Care TransformationOct 31, 2016
People use phones for just about everything these days—reading emails, checking the weather, or catching up on news. Researchers at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) want to add extended patient care to that list. They’re testing a telehealth system called “Symptom Care at Home” to help keep patients as healthy as possible during cancer treatment.
Kathi Mooney, PhD, co-leader of Cancer Control and Population Sciences at HCI, says the idea behind the program is that cancer patients’ symptoms don’t happen only while they are at the doctor’s office. Dr. Mooney has spent 15 years trying to improve patient care through a relatively simple technology—the telephone.... Read More
In the past decade, ophthalmologists have been prescribing nutritional supplements to be taken daily to prevent or slow vision loss from age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Now, using nutritional supplements for eye health has become more common. But does increasing the recommended dose increase your protection? A case report appearing online in JAMA Ophthalmology from the Moran Eye Center at the University of Utah reveals what can happen when a patient takes more of a supplement than their body needs.
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SALT LAKE CITY—More than 4,000 children and teens are diagnosed with brain cancer each year and the disease kills more children than any other cancer. Writing this week in the journal Cell Reports, researchers at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah report they have identified an existing group of drugs that appear to reduce or eliminate a certain subgroup of childhood brain cancers while sparing normal brain tissue. The research was conducted using a new zebrafish animal model system developed by the researchers, which closely resembles an aggressive subtype of pediatric brain tumors.... Read More
Oncological SciencesResearch, Clinical, Education, Health Care TransformationOct 24, 2016
It's a familiar struggle to anyone dealing with cancer; the treatments that get rid of the disease can also have serious side effects. Doctors at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) are working to reduce the negative effects of cancer treatment by pinpointing radiation therapy within a millimeter of where the cancer resides.
Karen Curtis has a family history of cancer. The disease took the lives of her mother and sister. When she was diagnosed with cervical cancer last February, she assumed she didn't have much time to live. "The first time I found out I didn't cry, I didn't have any emotions about it," she says. "But, then you start going through it and you start losing your hair, and you start losing everything, it's like you're losing your dignity."
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Researchers from the University of Utah studying Drosophila fruit flies have found that in flies, providing a common dietary supplement prevents death caused by Pngl deficiency, the fly analog of the human genetic disorder N-Glycanase 1 (NGLY1) deficiency. Findings were reported at the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) 2016 Annual Meeting in Vancouver, B.C. ... Read More
We recently had the pleasure of hosting cardiac surgeon Alden Harken, M.D., as the first Russell M. Nelson, M.D., Ph.D., Endowed Visiting Professor.... Read More
"Coffee" was the most tweeted food in the continental U.S. from mid-2014 to mid-2015 followed by "beer" then "pizza". Besides hinting at which foods are popular, VPCAT scholar Quynh Nguyen, Ph.D., assistant professor at the University of Utah College of Health, and colleagues, are finding that tweets may reveal something about our health. A study published in JMIR Public Health and Surveillance reports that communities that tweeted more often about physical activities, or expressed positive sentiments about healthy foods, had better overall health.... Read More
Select...Education, Research, Clinical, Health Care TransformationOct 17, 2016
Lilli Hartvigsen remembers the moment her three-year-old son Ethan was diagnosed with cancer.
“On November 7th, three weeks after he had an MRI, they told us it was lymphoma,” she says.
It began as a limp and quickly became a parent’s worst nightmare. “They actually did a bone scan, and it was all over his bones,” Lilli explains, “Stage 4 cancer. It was terrible.”
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Research, Education, Health Care Transformation, ClinicalOct 17, 2016
Cindy Shepherd hasn't missed a yearly mammogram since her sister was diagnosed with breast cancer about 16 years ago.
Shepherd didn't need a reminder to keep that appointment after watching her sister go through a lumpectomy, chemotherapy and radiation. But she got one anyway five years ago when her mother, too, was diagnosed with breast cancer, the disease so advanced she had to have a double mastectomy.
In Utah, breast cancer is the leading cause of female cancer death: In 2012, there were 115.5 cases of breast cancer and 20.5 breast cancer deaths per 100,000 women, according to the state Department of Health.... Read More
Research, Education, Clinical, Health Care TransformationOct 13, 2016
SALT LAKE CITY—Researchers at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah announced today the results of a study that found that circumstances in childhood, such as parental occupation at birth and neighborhood income, may be associated with different risks of certain cancers later in life.
HCI researchers and collaborators at Rutgers University in New Jersey and Temple University Health System in Philadelphia analyzed cancer risk and socioeconomic status (SES) of Baby Boomers (for this study, those born during 1945 – 1959,) in two Utah counties.
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Education, Research, Clinical, Health Care TransformationOct 12, 2016
From the Americas, through Africa to Australia, countries that have mandated the fortification of flour with folic acid have seen huge reductions in the number of children developing neural tube defects while in the womb. So what is Europe waiting for? Adrian Burton investigates.... Read More
Education, Clinical, Research, Health Care TransformationOct 11, 2016
Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) and University of Utah Health Care (UUHC) know it's important for all community members to understand breast cancer, screenings and prevention. Today they share the top things you can do to help lower your rise of breast cancer.... Read More
Research, Clinical, Health Care Transformation, EducationOct 10, 2016
Doctors at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) are discovering some treatments that work for one type of cancer may also work for another, if it has similar mutations, or genetic changes.
Genetic changes, or mutations, change some normal cells in the body into cancer cells which can grow and multiply. There are more than 100 types of cancer, which means many different ways to treat cancer are needed. Most cancers are named for the part of the body where they started.... Read More
Clinical, Research, Education, Health Care TransformationOct 07, 2016
There's something about Utah's uncluttered landscape and expansive blue sky that gives Mary Beckerle a sense of mental space.
It helps her think, she says, and fuels her desire to explore both mentally and physically.
It's the reason the New Jersey native came to the Beehive State in the 1980s to teach at the University of Utah.
Thirty years later, she's found herself in the Huntsman Cancer Institute's corner office as its CEO, with wall-to-wall windows overlooking the geography she loves so much.... Read More
From the discovery of the cystic fibrosis gene marker to development of the gold standard in genomic analysis, University of Utah Health Sciences has led many of the world’s advancements in genomic health research. ... Read More
Select...Health Care Transformation, Clinical, Education, ResearchOct 03, 2016
Cancer isn’t the first hardship dealt to Carrie Grindle-Lyons. In 2008, she delivered a baby boy at 22 weeks. He was stillborn.
Her doctor asked her not to try getting pregnant again right away because she had fibroids in her uterus. They were removed with surgery that left her uterus in place. A year after she lost her baby, Carrie went in for a checkup. What doctors found devastated her.
“The fibroids grew back, and they found out I had endometrial cancer,” she says.
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Clinical, Research, Education, Health Care TransformationOct 03, 2016
To say Annie Budhathoki, DAOM, L.Ac., was skeptical of acupuncture would be an understatement.
“I thought acupuncture was the devil’s work,” she says.
Then she was in a horrific accident. After more than two years of surgeries and recovery, she still had to walk with a cane. She turned to acupuncture as a last resort to relieve the pain in her leg, and quickly became a believer. After three sessions she was able to walk, cane-free.
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Health Care Transformation, Clinical, Education, ResearchSep 29, 2016
SALT LAKE CITY—Officials at University of Utah Health Care (UUHC) today announced that Ben Tanner, Huntsman Cancer Institute’s (HCI) current director of clinical operations and chief operating officer (COO) has been named the cancer hospital’s executive director, replacing Ray Lynch, who is retiring after 13 years of service. Tanner will assume his duties immediately.... Read More
Researchers at the University of Utah School of Medicine and ARUP Laboratories in Salt Lake City unravel the mystery behind a rare Zika-related death in an adult, and unconventional transmission to a second patient in a correspondence published online on September 28 in the New England Journal of Medicine. Details point to an unusually high concentration of virus in the first patient’s blood as being responsible for his death. The phenomenon may also explain how the second patient may have contracted the virus through casual contact with the primary patient, the first such documented case. ... Read More
PathologyHealth Care Transformation, Education, Research, ClinicalSep 23, 2016
Lisa Callister walked into LDS Hospital in 2012 for a routine colonoscopy. She walked out knowing a tumor had been growing unchecked in her colon for about six years.
She battled for more than a year as colon cancer ravaged her body. Doctors had to remove the entire organ.
But the ordeal might have been avoided, Callister said, if she had previously known that she had Lynch Syndrome, an inherited disorder that increases the risk of many cancers. The gene runs in her family, but Callister, her sister, Emily Scalley, and their siblings had not been tested.
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Jody Rosenblatt, Ph.D., a cell biologist at Huntsman Cancer Institute and an associate professor of oncological sciences at the University of Utah has been selected as a Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Faculty Scholar, HHMI announced today. The award provides $1 million to fund her research over the course of five years.... Read More
Oncological SciencesHealth Care Transformation, Education, Research, ClinicalSep 22, 2016
SALT LAKE CITY—Jody Rosenblatt, Ph.D., a cell biologist at Huntsman Cancer Institute and an associate professor of oncological sciences at the University of Utah has been selected as a Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Faculty Scholar, HHMI announced today: https://www.hhmi.org/news/philanthropies-announce-selection-faculty-scholars. The award provides $1 million to fund her research over the course of five years.... Read More
Today, the University of Utah announced a $3.1 million award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to investigate how a person’s genetic makeup and a range of environmental factors, from air quality to nutrition, influence the health of children and adolescents. ... Read More
Thousands of lives could be saved by a simple vaccination to protect against Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Yet only 51% of teens receive the vaccine each year. Every year more than four thousand people die from cancers related to HPV.
It's upsetting, it's really upsetting,” says Deanna Kepka, PhD, MPH, a population scientist at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI). “If you ask any cancer survivor whether they would have taken an opportunity to get a vaccine that prevented their cancer, they would say yes.”... Read More
Research, Health Care Transformation, Clinical, EducationSep 16, 2016
To look at 52-year-old Mark Wilson, actively keeping up with the high school baseball players he coaches, you'd never know that cancer is tearing his body apart.
“It's a sarcoma,” Wilson said. “I was diagnosed with it in October of 1999."
He has survived thanks to a strong disposition as well as the strong work of his doctors and nurses.... Read More
Clinical, Research, Health Care Transformation, EducationSep 16, 2016
Researchers recently revealed in a Nature Genetics paper that they had identified a new gene linked to ALS, a neurodegenerative condition also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. The July announcement was a milestone in the fight against ALS, which affects about 30,000 Americans, and a historic moment in financing disease research. ... Read More
Clinical, Health Care Transformation, Research, EducationSep 15, 2016
Getting cancer treatment, like radiation, can be scary -- especially for children.
One Utah woman is helping kids feel a little more brave by giving them special gifts before treatment.
Jill Perkins makes princess crowns and superhero capes for the children who go to the Huntsman Cancer Institute for radiation.... Read More
Most people could benefit from a few extra hours of sleep every night. But some people habitually sleep much less than the recommended amount, yet report feeling no ill effects. A new University of Utah study, published Sept. 15 in Brain and Behavior, finds that patterns of neural connections in the brains of so-called “habitual short sleepers” suggest that some of these people may be efficient sleepers, but may also be more tired than they realize.... Read More
University of Utah is taking part in a nationwide, landmark study designed to address questions about how typical teen experiences – such as social media, lack of sleep and head injuries from sports – affect their social, emotional, intellectual and physical health and well-being ... Read More
PsychiatryResearch, Education, Health Care Transformation, ClinicalSep 14, 2016
SALT LAKE CITY—Officials at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah today announced the creation of a new center to be housed in the soon-to-be-completed expansion of HCI’s research enterprise, the Primary Children’s and Families’ Cancer Research Center. The new center will be called the Huntsman Center for Health Outcomes and Population Equity (HOPE) and will focus on discovering new ways to prevent and treat cancer among underserved populations, including individuals living in poverty and residents of rural (between 6.1 and 99.9 persons/sq. mile) and frontier (<6.1 persons/sq. mile) areas.... Read More
Bucking national trends, a University of Utah Health Care program is making a difference in healthcare quality and cost, reports a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). The value driven outcomes program breaks down health procedure costs to the level of each bandage and minutes of nursing time. After addressing inefficiencies exposed in three procedures - joint replacement, in-hospital laboratory testing, and sepsis management – patients fared better and costs fell.
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University of Utah researchers have found that the structure of an insulin molecule produced by predatory cone snails may be an improvement over current fast-acting therapeutic insulin. The finding suggests that the cone snail insulin, produced by the snails to stun their prey, could begin working in as few as five minutes, compared with 15 minutes for the fastest-acting insulin currently available. ... Read More
BiochemistryEducation, Clinical, Research, Health Care TransformationSep 12, 2016
More than 1,000 young women have helped Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) researchers with a study to pinpoint factors that affect the risk of breast cancer.... Read More
A factor found in umbilical cord blood could become the basis for developing a new therapy to fight harmful inflammation, University of Utah School of Medicine researchers report. When given to mice, the newly discovered factor countered signs of inflammation and sepsis, such as fever, fluctuations in respiratory rate, and death. The factor circulates in the blood of newborns for about two weeks after birth and is not found in older babies or adults, according to the study published online Sept. 6, 2016, in The Journal of Clinical Investigation.
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Squirting a simple saline solution into the nose twice a day could alleviate chronic nosebleeds just as effectively as spraying with any one of three different medications, reports a study published in JAMA and led by Kevin Whitehead, M.D., F.A.H.A., associate professor of internal medicine at the University of Utah School of Medicine and director of the Utah HHT Clinical Center.... Read More
Internal MedicineClinical, Health Care Transformation, Research, EducationSep 02, 2016
As a child, Eleana used to think her family was cursed. Her father, grandparents, and several aunts, uncles and cousins all had cancer and passed away at a young age. One cousin died of lung cancer when he was just 12 years old. “I was afraid to let anyone get attached to me and I was afraid to get attached to anyone,” she says. “I thought if I love somebody they're going to die, if somebody loves me, they're going to die.” When her daughter, Kiera, complained of a sharp pain in her side that wouldn’t go away, Eleana took her to Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI). Kiera was diagnosed with pleomorphic sarcoma, an aggressive form of cancer, at the age of 19. After several months of treatment and surgery on her abdomen, Kiera was pronounced cancer-free.
Kiera’s experience with cancer gave her a new life mission. She became a cancer researcher at HCI.... Read More
An experimental Alzheimer’s drug is stirring excitement as the first to show promise in slowing the pace of dementia. King is local director for a larger clinical trial that is testing the drug more rigorously.... Read More
NeurologyClinical, Health Care Transformation, Research, EducationAug 30, 2016
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (August 30, 2016) – The St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a volunteer-powered and donor-centered charity dedicated to raising money for childhood cancer research, is proud to award a $90,650 St. Baldrick’s Research Grant to support the work of Anne Kirchhoff, Ph.D., a researcher at Huntsman Cancer Institute and the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Utah.
Air pollution is an ongoing problem in many communities throughout the U.S. Air pollution is a major health concern in the state of Utah, with its cities often ranking atop EPA’s list of cities with the worst short-term air pollution in the U.S. Children are particularly vulnerable to pollution-induced illnesses. For children who have had cancer, many face pulmonary-related health problems due to chemotherapy, radiation and surgery they endured to treat their cancer. It’s likely that short-term exposure to air pollutants could exacerbate acute pulmonary issues in childhood cancer survivors.... Read More
Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah is launching a unique program, called HCI-Total Cancer Care, which will follow patients through cancer screenings, treatments, and into good health throughout their lives.
The program, which is borne out of HCI’s membership in the Oncology Research Information Exchange Network (ORIEN), utilizes patient data to help match patients to clinical trials and treatment developments happening across the country, offering never-before-seen access to cutting edge innovations in cancer care, while tracking a patient’s health throughout his or her lifetime.... Read More
Health Care Transformation, Research, Education, ClinicalAug 29, 2016
The Huntsman Cancer Institute is launching a new program that combines genetic research with lifelong treatment for cancer patients. It’s is a part of the Huntsman Cancer Institute’s membership in the Oncology Research Information Exchange Network, or ORIEN.
More than a dozen of the nation’s top cancer research centers are part of the network, which was built to share data about cancer between the institutions.... Read More
Clinical, Health Care Transformation, Education, ResearchAug 26, 2016
Today's Want To Know Her spotlights a top notch surgeon with an impressive list of academic and professional honors, juggling life as a wife and mom, too.
Dr. Cindy Matsen is a breast cancer surgeon treating mothers, sisters, wives and daughters battling breast cancer.... Read More
People who are overweight or obese are at higher risk for more cancers than previously thought, says a report published in the New England Journal of Medicine today. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) brought together a group of 21 researchers from around the world to look at more than 1,000 studies linking excess body fat and cancer. Neli Ulrich, PhD, senior director of Population Sciences at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah, was a member of the group. Ulrich is a cancer researcher who studies lifestyle and biologic factors in cancer prevention and cancer prognosis. ... Read More
Clinical, Education, Health Care Transformation, ResearchAug 24, 2016
As CEOs, these 10 women have positively impacted their hospitals and health systems, and the greater healthcare industry.
Vivian S. Lee, MD, PhD, MBA, serves as the CEO of University of Utah Healthcare in Salt Lake City. In her role, she oversees four hospitals, 10 health centers, the Huntsman Cancer Institute and Moran Eye Center and five colleges. Under Dr. Lee's leadership the health system has ranked among the nation's top 10 in quality and safety academic hospitals. Dr. Lee oversaw the opening of the School of Dentistry and the launch of the Utah Genome Project. She is on the Council of Councils of the National Institutes of Health, the Journal of the American Medical Association, and the Scientific Advisory Board of Massachusetts General Hospital, among other organizations.... Read More
Health Care Transformation, Clinical, Research, EducationAug 22, 2016
The wealthy new owner of The Salt Lake Tribune says his father, Utah billionaire and industrialist Jon Huntsman Sr., will serve in a role at the newspaper as chairman emeritus.
Deputy editor Tim Fitzpatrick says Tribune publisher Paul Huntsman made the announcement with his father Monday during a meeting with the newspaper's staff and new editor Jennifer Napier-Pearce.... Read More
Clinical, Health Care Transformation, Education, ResearchAug 11, 2016
Cancer Genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq:CGIX), an emerging leader in molecular and biomarker-based cancer diagnostics, announced today financial and operating results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2016 and provided other company and business updates.
Total revenues were $7.0 million in the second quarter of 2016 and included $4.2 million from Biopharma services and $2.5 million from Clinical services, compared with total revenue of $4.2 million in the second quarter of 2015, an increase of 67 percent.... Read More
Lee Ellington, PhD, Associate Professor at the University of Utah’s College of Nursing was recently awarded $2,252,243 over four years from the National Institute of Nursing Research, with secondary funding from the National Cancer Institute. ... Read More
Oncological SciencesClinical, Health Care Transformation, Education, ResearchAug 08, 2016
Check-Cap Ltd. (the “Company” or “Check-Cap”) (NASDAQ: CHEK, CHEKW), a clinical stage medical diagnostics company engaged in the development of an ingestible capsule for preparation-free, colorectal cancer screening, today announced it has entered into an agreement with GE Healthcare to develop and validate high-volume manufacturing for X-ray source production and assembly into Check-Cap’s capsule. Upon successful completion, the parties may discuss collaboration on execution of a high-volume manufacturing facility and distribution of the Check-Cap system.... Read More
Health Care Transformation, Research, Education, ClinicalAug 08, 2016
A cancer surveillance system is being touted as the next best thing to finding a cure to an inherited cancer disorder called Li-Fraumeni syndrome. Patients with Li-Fraumeni carry a substantially higher lifetime risk of developing cancers such as bone cancer, leukemia and breast cancer.... Read More
The CARMA Center at the University of Utah Health Care kicked off a clinical trial aiming to improve the treatment of atrial fibrillation. ... Read More
U.S. News & World Report has released its 2016-2017 Best Hospital Rankings and named University of Utah’s Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) one of the top 50 cancer hospitals in the country. ... Read More
Human GeneticsHealth Care Transformation, Research, Education, ClinicalAug 02, 2016
U.S. News & World Report has released its 2016-2017 Best Hospital Rankings and named University of Utah’s Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) one of the top 50 cancer hospitals in the country.
“We are extremely pleased to be recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation’s top cancer hospitals,” said Mary Beckerle, CEO and director of HCI. “Cancer touches the lives of everyone, and this recognition reflects our efforts to relieve the burden of this disease on our patients and their families through excellent patient care and robust scientific research. We are motivated by the idea that it is possible to defeat cancer.”
... Read More
Research, Clinical, Health Care Transformation, EducationAug 02, 2016
Madison Memorial Hospital officials last week announced a new affiliation with the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah.
Madison Memorial Hospital is a 69-bed, full-service medical facility. Huntsman Cancer Institute is one of the world’s top academic research and cancer treatment centers, a Madison Memorial news release said.
Madison Memorial’s partnership with the Salt Lake City-based Institute will extend its resources to Madison County and the surrounding communities, the release said.
The agreement, which formalizes a long tradition of collaboration between the two entities, sets the stage for Madison Memorial to provide improved patient access to cancer specialties including clinical trials and other research efforts, the release said.... Read More
Education, Clinical, Research, Health Care TransformationAug 02, 2016
SALT LAKE CITY—U.S. News & World Report has released its 2016-2017 Best Hospital Rankings and named University of Utah’s Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) one of the top 50 cancer hospitals in the country.
“We are extremely pleased to be recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation’s top cancer hospitals,” said Mary Beckerle, CEO and director of HCI. “Cancer touches the lives of everyone, and this recognition reflects our efforts to relieve the burden of this disease on our patients and their families through excellent patient care and robust scientific research. We are motivated by the idea that it is possible to defeat cancer.”... Read More
Clinical, Health Care Transformation, Education, ResearchAug 02, 2016
For Chris Jensen, science and religion are like "the marriage of two mysteries."
A biologist and senior laboratory specialist with the Huntsman Cancer Institute, Jensen said his work enriches and reinforces his Lutheran faith.
Science looks at objects large and small, he said, and God is present in all of them.
"Things just work really, really elegantly and beautifully together," he said. "Whether you take faith as the answer to that or not is individual."
Jensen is a member of Salt Lake City's Mount Tabor Lutheran Church, where the interplay between science and faith — often seen in conflict — is encouraged and celebrated.... Read More
Clinical, Education, Health Care Transformation, ResearchAug 01, 2016
Surgery is part of cancer treatment plans in many cases. While surgery is an important part of treatment, recovery from surgery has a major impact on overall health. Strong for Surgery is a program that focuses on making small changes in health before surgery. Making these changes, even just before surgery, can make a big difference in recovery.... Read More
Health Care Transformation, Clinical, Research, EducationAug 01, 2016
Every week, a special visitor appears at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI). His job? To cheer up patients fighting cancer and their family members.
His name is Misio, and he’s a therapy dog with Intermountain Therapy Animals. Kathy McNulty, a volunteer with the organization, is Misio’s escort.
Kathy says Misio has only been coming to HCI for a few months, but she can already see the difference he’s making for patients and their families. “Over and over, I’ve seen tears turn to smiles,” she says. “Misio takes their minds off the procedures.”... Read More
Clinical, Health Care Transformation, Education, ResearchJul 31, 2016
P53 – one gene that may hold the key. Humans have two copies, but some people are missing a copy. For individuals with only one working copy of P53, their lifetime risk of cancer is nearly 100 percent.
Elephants, after 55 million years of evolution, have 40 copies of the P53 gene. Those extra copies protect elephant’s cells from cancer by eliminating cells that develops any type of mutation that could go on to become cancer.... Read More
Clinical, Research, Health Care Transformation, EducationJul 31, 2016
Individuals with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) have a nearly 100 percent chance of developing colon cancer and often undergo surgery to remove the colon so cancer can’t develop there.
A new medication being tested in a clinical trial lead by Jewel Samadder, MD, has shown promising results. The first round of testing shows that in less than six months, half of the patients who received medication saw a nearly 70% regression of polyps. For some, polyps disappeared completely.... Read More
Prognostication based on site of metastatic disease in castration refractory prostate cancer: Implications for patient care and clinical trial design.... Read More
NantHealth, Inc., a leading next-generation, evidence-based, personalized healthcare company, today announced that it has partnered with the University of Utah in analyzing the entire genomic profiles of at least 1,000 individuals who have a history of rare and life-threatening diseases and conditions in their respective families. The landmark project will focus on researching the genetic causes of 25 conditions, including, breast, colon, ovarian, and prostate cancers, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), chronic lymphocytic leukemia, autism, preterm birth, epilepsy, and other hereditary conditions. Genomic sequencing will be conducted with unique, comprehensive molecular tests offered by NantHealth. ... Read More
Human GeneticsHealth Care Transformation, Clinical, Research, EducationJul 22, 2016
Kathy and her niece, Rhonda, regularly make the trip from their small town in Illinois, to Salt Lake City. They don’t come to see family and friends or to cheer for the University of Utah. They come to Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) to be tested for polyps in their small intestines.
Kathy and Rhonda both have familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), an inherited genetic disease. FAP causes hundreds of polyps to form throughout the small and large intestines. Any polyp in the intestine has the potential to become cancer. With so many polyps, people with FAP have a nearly 100-percent chance of developing colon cancer. Patients with FAP often undergo surgery to remove the colon so cancer can’t develop there.... Read More
Education, Research, Health Care Transformation, ClinicalJul 21, 2016
LOS ANGELES, July 21, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The St. Baldrick's Foundation, a volunteer-powered charity dedicated to raising money for childhood cancer research, is proud to announce that it has awarded 79 new grants totaling more than $22 million to support the best and brightest researchers looking for cures and better treatments for all childhood cancers.... Read More
Clinical, Education, Health Care Transformation, ResearchJul 19, 2016
Cases of aggressive prostate cancer appear to be on the rise, researchers reported Tuesday.
The good news is it's still rare for prostate cancer to spread. Just 3 percent of cases have already started spreading when men are diagnosed and prostate cancer overall has not become more common, the team found.
And the American Cancer Society strongly questioned the findings and the methods used to get them.... Read More
Health Care Transformation, Education, Clinical, ResearchJul 19, 2016
Legalized euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide are mainly used by patients with cancer, but remain rare, according to a new analysis of such programs.
In the last year alone, California has legalized physician-assisted suicide, Canada legalized both physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia, and Colombia performed its first legal euthanasia, said John Urwin, a study author from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. "In order to inform current debates, it's imperative to understand current laws and practices."... Read More
Education, Research, Health Care Transformation, ClinicalJul 19, 2016
Madison Memorial Hospital and the the Huntsman Cancer Institute have teamed up to better provide cancer patients with convenient and closer services.
The goal of the project is to give local patients an easier commute, instead of traveling miles out of town for cancer services.
CEO of Madison Memorial Hospital Rachel Gonzales said the last thing you want to do when your sick is think about the burden of traveling far.
"You're not feeling well, you're stress you're afraid. You just received the scariest diagnosis of your life. And you're having to travel and leave your family often. So that travel time just adds more stress," Gonzales said.
After all, the treatment requires temporarily increasing levels of certain sex hormones to five or 10 times the normal. Two of those hormones, estrogen and progesterone, can affect the course of certain kinds of breast cancer.... Read More
Education, Clinical, Health Care Transformation, ResearchJul 19, 2016
Women undergoing in vitro fertilization have long worried that the procedure could raise their risk for breast cancer.
After all, the treatment requires temporarily increasing levels of certain sex hormones to five or 10 times the normal. Two of those hormones, estrogen and progesterone, can affect the course of certain kinds of breast cancer.... Read More
A University of Utah School of Medicine-led study reports an advance that could increase the accuracy of liquid biopsies. The blood test monitors cancer progression by detecting pieces of circulating tumor DNA, but results can be obscured by abundant DNA from healthy cells. The research published in PLOS Genetics shows that the two types of DNA fragments are typically differently sized in cancer patients, a property that can be exploited to enhance the test’s sensitivity. ... Read More
PediatricsResearch, Health Care Transformation, Clinical, EducationJul 15, 2016
Primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) are the largest group of malignant brain tumors in children. They can arise from the brain's cerebellum or, more rarely, from tissue located throughout the central nervous system (CNS). Little is known about how CNS-PNETs develop, although these tumors are more aggressive than other PNETs and have an overall survival rate of only about 20 percent. In a new study, researchers for the first time have identified a possible target for a new CNS-PNET therapy.... Read More
Health Care Transformation, Clinical, Education, ResearchJul 15, 2016
Eduardo Ayala was 17 years old when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. He is fluent in English and Spanish, but his parents speak only Spanish. Eduardo and his family came to HCI from Nevada for his treatments. It is one of the five Mountain West states at the core of HCI’s service area.
Cancer has a language all its own and it’s that much harder if English is not your first language. That’s where Guadalupe Tovar, a health educator and patient navigator at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI), comes in. She helps Hispanic families navigate their cancer care.... Read More
Clinical, Research, Education, Health Care TransformationJul 15, 2016
Primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) are the largest group of malignant brain tumors in children. They can arise from the brain's cerebellum or, more rarely, from tissue located throughout the central nervous system (CNS). Little is known about how CNS-PNETs develop, although these tumors are more aggressive than other PNETs and have an overall survival rate of only about 20 percent. In a new study, researchers for the first time have identified a possible target for a new CNS-PNET therapy.... Read More
Research, Education, Health Care TransformationJul 13, 2016
The National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) Cancer Clinical Investigator Team Leadership Awards recognize and support outstanding clinical investigators at NCI-Designated Cancer Centers who participate extensively in NCI- funded collaborative clinical trials and whose leadership, participation, and activities promote a culture of successful clinical research. Established in 2009, the awards are intended to help retain investigators in academic clinical research careers. This year, 13 investigators nationwide, including Theresa Werner, MD, Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) investigator and University of Utah assistant professor of medicine have received the award.... Read More
Health Care Transformation, Education, Clinical, ResearchJul 08, 2016
Ovarian cancer accounts for about three percent of cancers among women, but it causes more deaths than any other cancer of the female reproductive system - like uterine, cervix, Fallopian tube, vulvar and vaginal cancer The reason for this is ovarian cancer is almost always detected at advanced stages (meaning the tumor has typically spread by the time it is diagnosed). Due to this, it is very difficult to cure ovarian cancer.... Read More
Education, Research, Health Care Transformation, ClinicalJul 08, 2016
Salt Lake City — (KUTV) The 2016 Ride for Life is scheduled for Saturday July 9th and proceeds will benefit the Huntsman Cancer Institute.
Tickets can be purchased at the Timpanogas Harley Davidson store in Lindon. The ride will start there and then end at the USANA Ampitheater.... Read More
Health Care Transformation, Education, Clinical, ResearchJul 08, 2016
They call themselves "The Generation to End Cancer."
Sigma Chi fraternity brothers from across the United States, attending different schools, and each of them with a different story, share one goal: to raise $10 million for cancer research at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI).... Read More
Health Care Transformation, Clinical, Research, EducationJul 08, 2016
They call themselves “The Generation to End Cancer.” Sigma Chi fraternity brothers from across the United States sharing one goal – to raise $10 million for cancer research at HCI. For many Sigma Chi brothers, this fight against cancer is personal. Dan Shaver, chairman of the Sigma Chi Philanthropy Committee says, ,”We rarely come across someone whose family isn’t directly or indirectly affected by cancer. I just don’t think we’ll ever rest until we find the cure.” Sigma Chi fraternities raised $1.3 million during the 2015-2016 school year. 29 schools each raised more than $20 thousand dollars and traveled to Salt Lake to be inducted into the 20k club.... Read More
On July 9, the Natural History Museum of Utah will host a DNA Fest presented in part by Utah Genome Project and USTAR Center for Genetic Discovery investigators. With hands-on activities, families are invited to explore the genome and genetic traits, and learn what they are and how they are advancing medicine and technology today. ... Read More
Human GeneticsHealth Care Transformation, Research, Clinical, EducationJul 01, 2016
Breast cancer is far too common. In fact, one in eight women will be diagnosed with the disease in her lifetime. Many will be treated with chemotherapy and radiation, giving them a strong chance of survival, but about 30%, more than 75,000 each year, will face a metastasized cancer that isn't curable.... Read More
The Children's Tumor Foundation recently awarded Dr. David Viskochil its highest honor for his contributions to helping those with the genetic disease.... Read More
PediatricsHealth Care Transformation, Research, Clinical, EducationJun 30, 2016
Grand County Hospice and Moab Regional Hospital recently partnered with a nonprofit, community-based health care consulting organization to host Moab’s first Serious Illness Conversation Training.... Read More
Clinical, Research, Health Care Transformation, EducationJun 29, 2016
Twenty black diamonds are spangled across six generations of Gregg Johnson's family tree. Each one represents a family member who died of colon cancer.... Read More
Health Care Transformation, Clinical, Research, EducationJun 28, 2016
Regional health plans devoted nearly $7 million benefiting more than 2,000 nonprofits while its employees volunteered more than 7,400 hours to charitable causes across four-state footprint... Read More
Clinical, Research, Health Care Transformation, EducationJun 25, 2016
It was a special day for University of Utah Doctor Jason Hunt. He's the clinical director of head and neck surgical oncology at the huntsman cancer institute. He got to ride in an F-16 as part of their ‘Hometown Hero’ program.... Read More
Research, Clinical, Education, Health Care TransformationJun 24, 2016
Famous Dave's BBQ is helping raise money for the Huntsman Cancer Institute by selling $6 lunch plates at the Gallivan Plaza on Friday. It starts at 11 a.m.
Stop by to grab a bite for a good cause!... Read More
Research, Education, Health Care Transformation, ClinicalJun 24, 2016
At Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI), researchers are using the power of Big Data to help prevent cancer. HCI is home of the Utah Population Database (UPDB), a shared data resource that tracks family medical history through many generations. The UPDB is the only database of its kind in the United States and one of few such resources in the world. The UPDB has contributed to important gene discoveries including those for colon cancer (APC), breast cancer (BRCA1), melanoma (p16), and others.
Utilizing the UPDB, researchers are able to identify families that have higher than normal rates of certain cancers.... Read More
Research, Education, Clinical, Health Care TransformationJun 23, 2016
When a brain tumor is suspected because of symptoms such as headaches or other problems, its presence is usually confirmed by anatomical imaging such as CT or MRI. But through imaging, doctors often can't say much about the tumor - molecularly - besides 'something's in there.' Surgery and a biopsy are necessary to get a glimpse of the cancer cells themselves.... Read More
Health Care Transformation, Research, Education, ClinicalJun 22, 2016
A person is in custody on suspicion of starting a grass fire by the Huntsman Cancer Institute, Monday evening.
At about 5:30 p.m., Salt Lake City firefighters responded to several reports of the grass fire north of the building, according to tweets from the fire department. The flames covered a 50-foot by 50-foot area.... Read More
Health Care Transformation, Clinical, Education, ResearchJun 22, 2016
Genetic counseling by telephone was noninferior to in-person counseling among women at increased risk of hereditary breast and/or ovarian cancer (HBOC) for all psychosocial, decision-making, and quality-of-life measures, investigators found.
In addition, genetic testing was more common among women who received in-person counseling and women who lived in rural settings.... Read More
Health Care Transformation, Clinical, Education, ResearchJun 22, 2016
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet met with patients and leaders from the Huntsman Cancer Institute and University of Utah Tuesday before speaking to the Utah community at the University’s Jon M. Huntsman Center.
Emma Houston, and HCI breast cancer survivor had the opportunity to meet with the Dalai Lama.... Read More
Education, Research, Health Care Transformation, ClinicalJun 22, 2016
Kailos Genetics, a personalized medicine information company offering leading-edge gene-based testing, today announced they have entered into a collaboration with Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah to develop a clinical-grade test for circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). Backed by a $2.4 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the minimally invasive test will be used to monitor patients for breast cancer disease recurrence.... Read More
His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet met with patients and leaders of Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) and the University of Utah during a brief visit to Huntsman Cancer Institute today, Tuesday, June 21. His visit coincides with his appearance later in the afternoon at the University’s Jon M. Huntsman Center where he will speak about compassion and universal responsibility. ... Read More
Education, Research, Health Care TransformationJun 21, 2016
In the United States, someone is diagnosed with a blood-related cancer every three minutes. For many of them, a blood or marrow transplant is the only hope for a cure. More than two-thirds of these patients, however, don’t have a matched marrow donor in the family. Donor registries offer them the best hope for finding a match.... Read More
Research, Health Care Transformation, Education, ClinicalJun 20, 2016
Mary Beckerle is the CEO and Executive Director of the Huntsman Cancer Institute.
Beckerle grew up in New Jersey. She lost her father to emphysema when she was just 12 years old. "We were a happy, normal family and then all of a sudden my dad starting having trouble breathing," she said. She recalls her father couldn't go downstairs to watch her and her sisters perform the plays they would make up.... Read More
Research, Education, Clinical, Health Care TransformationJun 17, 2016
What a day of inspiration for the 6th year of the ‘Huntsman 140’.
900 cancer survivors rode their bikes to raise funds and support research for the Huntsman Cancer Institute.... Read More
Health Care Transformation, Education, Research, ClinicalJun 17, 2016
Researchers from the Huntsman Cancer Institute completed a health needs assessment on Wednesday, spurred by higher-than-usual numbers of lung, colon and breast cancer in several rural areas including the TriCounty Health District.... Read More
Education, Health Care Transformation, Research, ClinicalJun 17, 2016
That little phrase, a common conversation starter, takes on new meaning at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI). There, a program called Your Story gives cancer patients the chance to reflect on and share their life stories.... Read More
Health Care Transformation, Clinical, Research, EducationJun 17, 2016
You don't smoke. You wear sunscreen. You exercise regularly. But your breakfast usually consists of a donut or store-bought muffin as you run out the door, lunch is something from the vending machine, and dinner is grabbed at the drive-thru. These decisions about what you eat may be doing more harm to your health than you think.... Read More
Education, Research, Clinical, Health Care TransformationJun 15, 2016
It is impossible to quantify the value a director brings to a board and the organization it serves. Most board directors hold a uniquely wide perspective, having gleaned hard-won wisdom from decades of experience within their own industry and, typically, multiple other industries and nonprofit endeavors. This is the case with this year’s Outstanding Directors, who have founded or led large organizations, as well as given their passion and resources to nonprofit efforts.... Read More
Health Care Transformation, Education, Clinical, ResearchJun 10, 2016
Patients at the Hunstman Cancer Institute are getting a new chance for treatment through art therapy.
A new artist in residence program allows cancer patients bring some color back to their lives by expressing themselves through art.... Read More
Research, Health Care Transformation, Clinical, EducationJun 10, 2016
New statistics out from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention find that Utah has the highest rate of skin cancer in the nation.
Mark Hyde is a Physician Assistant on the Melanoma Team at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. He says it’s a combination of risk factors that make Utahns so susceptible to melanoma.... Read More
Health Care Transformation, Research, Clinical, EducationJun 10, 2016
In its sixth year, the Huntsman 140 has grown in attendance, and in overall fundraising. This event is a friendly fundraising ride designed to bring the community together toward a common goal of expanding cancer research for children and families.
This year, Subway stores are sponsoring the event by providing sandwiches for riders to fuel up during the ride. Ed Brunisholz, a local Subway sandwich shop owner and rider in the Huntsman 140, said there are Subway owners across the state that have a family member with cancer, and that even some of their regular guests are affected by the disease.... Read More
Education, Research, Clinical, Health Care TransformationJun 10, 2016
JOSHUA SCHIFFMAN IS A LOVER OF ALL THINGS ELEPHANT. As a pediatric oncologist and a professor in the University of Utah’s Department of Pediatrics, he and his exceptional team from Primary Children’s Hospital, Huntsman Cancer Institute, and the University of Utah are working to expand the focus of childhood cancer research to include prevention— and elephants have become important partners in that work. Curious, we sat down with Dr. Schiffman to find out more.
A new artist in residence program allows cancer patients bring some color back to their lives by expressing themselves through art.... Read More
Research led by Amnon Schlegel, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine at the University of Utah School of Medicine and an Investigator with the University of Utah Molecular Medicine Program, reveals that defects in how the liver metabolizes glucose, caused by changes in the abundance of the FOXN3 protein, can also trigger increased blood sugar levels, and may explain why some individuals with a variation in the FOXN3 gene show signs of being at risk for diabetes.... Read More
With displays of traditional Native American dress and artifacts as reminders of their proud heritage, a group of bright, young students radiated optimism and excitement at the welcome dinner for the Native American Research Internship (NARI), held at the Natural History Museum of Utah. This year, the program is hosting students from 12 tribal nations, 12 states, and 18 universities. While many are newcomers, some have decided to return for their second and even third summers.
NARI offers an opportunity for native students to encourage and explore interests in medicine and biomedical research, two fields in which Native Americans are the most underrepresented minority group.... Read More
PediatricsEducation, Research, Health Care Transformation, ClinicalJun 03, 2016
The atrium floor was the stage, the lobby chairs made up the grandstand. For a morning, Children’s Hospital & Medical Center wasn’t really a hospital but a circus.
Clowns, dancers, acrobats and a ringmaster from Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus performed Friday at Children’s in Omaha.... Read More
Health Care Transformation, Research, Education, ClinicalJun 03, 2016
Salt Lake City, Utah-based Mountain Crane Service painted a Grove TMS9000E crane pink as a tribute to members of its workforce whose lives have been affected by cancer. The company named the crane “Hope” in honor of crane operator Tyson Allen, who died of cancer in 2012. The pink crane can be seen in the photo assisting in the construction of the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City.... Read More
Clinical, Research, Health Care Transformation, EducationJun 03, 2016
The 2016 World Health Organization (WHO) Classification of Infiltrating Gliomas alters diagnostic criteria, providing the basis for clinical trial inclusion or exclusion based on an integrated diagnosis and setting the stage for all future research, according to a summary of 4 posters related to CNS biomarkers presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2016 Annual Meeting.... Read More
Health Care Transformation, Education, Research, ClinicalJun 03, 2016
Eye cancer took the life of author and neurologist Oliver Sacks last year, bringing attention to the rare and deadly disease. Scientists have tried to develop precision treatments against cancers like this one, but the mutations that cause them have proven difficult to block with drugs.... Read More
Health Care Transformation, Education, Research, ClinicalJun 03, 2016
Eye cancer took the life of author and neurologist Oliver Sacks last year, bringing attention to the rare and deadly disease. Scientists have tried to develop precision treatments against cancers like this one, but the mutations that cause them have proven difficult to block with drugs.
Now, a team led by scientists at Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah, University of Utah School of Medicine, and Navigen, Inc., report a new treatment that shows promise against the hard-to-treat cancer. They found that the mutation relies on a protein, ARF6, to distribute cancer-promoting signals. Further, a drug that blocks ARF6 inhibits eye tumors in mice. The research appears in Cancer Cell online on June 2.
Skin-cancer specialists agree. “Clothing is always going to work better than sunscreen because it blocks both UVA and UVB rays,” said Dr. Douglas Grossman, an expert in skin cancer at Huntsman Cancer Institute in Utah. And unlike sunscreens, which we tend to use too sparingly, “it’s not going to wash off.”... Read More
Health Care Transformation, Education, Research, ClinicalJun 03, 2016
The ultimate in sun safety is UV-protective clothing, according to the Canadian Cancer Society.
Skin-cancer specialists agree. “Clothing is always going to work better than sunscreen because it blocks both UVA and UVB rays,” said Dr. Douglas Grossman, an expert in skin cancer at Huntsman Cancer Institute in Utah. And unlike sunscreens, which we tend to use too sparingly, “it’s not going to wash off.”... Read More
A team led by scientists at Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah, University of Utah School of Medicine, and Navigen, Inc., report a new treatment that shows promise against the hard-to-treat cancer. They found that the mutation relies on a protein, ARF6, to distribute cancer-promoting signals. Further, a drug that blocks ARF6 inhibits eye tumors in mice. The research appears in Cancer Cell online on June 2.... Read More
Select...Education, Health Care Transformation, ResearchJun 02, 2016
Eye cancer took the life of author and neurologist Oliver Sacks last year, bringing attention to the rare and deadly disease. Scientists have tried to develop precision treatments against cancers like this one, but the mutations that cause them have proven difficult to block with drugs.... Read More
Medical researchers seeking to find answers for our nation’s growing heart failure epidemic have long focused on why patients’ heart conditions get worse. But might shifting to studying why they get better be the key to discovering a new crop of game-changing treatment approaches?... Read More
With $4 million in funding from the National Human Genome Research Institute, the University of Utah Center of Excellence in ELSI (Ethical, Legal, & Social Implications) Research (UCEER) will explore ethical, legal and social questions raised by advances in genomic research and the increasing availability of genomic information. ... Read More
PediatricsClinical, Education, Health Care Transformation, ResearchMay 31, 2016
Have you ever been convinced to do something by a friend or family member? Maybe it was buying a new car, starting a new exercise routine, or just trying a new dish at a restaurant.
Sometimes people need encouragement from a friend or family member to take action, especially when it comes to taking care of their health. A crowd-sourcing application from Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) counts on the power of many to encourage people to have suspicious moles checked out for skin cancer.... Read More
Research, Health Care Transformation, Education, ClinicalMay 31, 2016
A Utah cancer survivor is testing her strength by climbing the highest mountain in Africa: Mount Kilimanjaro.
But the real purpose behind the grueling 7-day hike is to help others fighting cancer.... Read More
Education, Health Care Transformation, Research, ClinicalMay 31, 2016
Two Utah sisters grew up in the same bedroom, went to the same college, worked for almost a decade at the same company and have visited over 50 countries side by side. Now every three weeks, they sit together in matching chairs and chat as their bodies are pumped full of chemotherapy drugs.... Read More
A memorial service to honor 255 people who gave their bodies to science and education at the University of Utah last year will be held on Friday, May 27th, 2016 at 11:00am.... Read More
Scientists at the University of Utah, ARUP Laboratories, and IDbyDNA, Inc., have developed ultra-fast, meta-genomics analysis software called Taxonomer that dramatically improves the accuracy and speed of pathogen detection. In a paper published today in Genome Biology, the collaborators demonstrated the ability of Taxonomer to analyze the sequences of all nucleic acids in a clinical specimen (DNA and RNA) and to detect pathogens, as well as profile the patient’s gene expression, in a matter of minutes. ... Read More
Older Americans with some hearing loss shouldn’t feel alone if they have trouble understanding British TV sagas like “Downton Abbey.” A small study from the University of Utah suggests hearing-impaired senior citizens have more trouble than young people comprehending British accents when there is background noise.... Read More
– Do you have your mother’s dimples or your father’s red hair? How do we inherit those traits, and how are we connected to all living things? Families will learn the answers to these questions and experience how scientists have unlocked the mysteries of the human genome, at a new traveling exhibit on display at the Natural History Museum of Utah at the Rio Tinto Center.... Read More
Adults with hypertension who are age 75 years and older, including those who are frail and with poor overall health, could benefit from lowering their blood pressure below current medical guidelines. The multi-institutional investigation was published online in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) and presented at the American Geriatrics Society Annual Scientific Meeting on May 19. ... Read More
Internal MedicineEducation, Clinical, Health Care Transformation, ResearchMay 18, 2016
TriCounty Health Department will host a community focus group where local residents are invited to discuss cancer health needs and concerns. Input will help to create education materials tailored to the community.... Read More
A company that got its start as a University of Utah student-led project has won a Utah Innovation Award in the Life Science – Medical Device category. Light Line Catheter by Veritas Medical LLC, a former Center for Medical Innovation & Bench-to-Bedside team, accepted the honor at the annual awards banquet on May 11. ... Read More
Select...Education, Clinical, Research, Health Care TransformationMay 16, 2016
Have you ever felt like there is so much material on a subject that you can't understand it, let alone make decisions? There's a name for this feelinginformation overload.
People receiving a cancer diagnosis often experience information overload. Donna Branson, director of Patient and Public Education at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI), explains, "If you Google the term breast cancer, you may get 44 million hits. It's confusing, and not all of the information out there is credible."... Read More
Education, Health Care Transformation, Research, ClinicalMay 16, 2016
If Paul Huntsman succeeds in buying The Salt Lake Tribune, it will fulfill what at times has seemed an all-but-unattainable goal to his billionaire father.... Read More
Research, Health Care Transformation, Education, ClinicalMay 16, 2016
Emma Houston is the new director of diversity affairs for Salt Lake County.
A longtime community volunteer, Houston was been on the county's Council on Diversity Affairs since 2013. She is a former chairwoman of the Governor's Office of Ethnic Affairs along with serving on the boards of the Huntsman Cancer Foundation and the National Council on Aging.... Read More
Education, Research, Health Care Transformation, ClinicalMay 16, 2016
The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) honored its new grant recipients at the Grants Reception and Dinner at the AACR Annual Meeting 2016, which was held in New Orleans April 16-20.... Read More
Research, Health Care Transformation, Clinical, EducationMay 13, 2016
Melanoma is the most deadly of all skin cancers. If melanoma is found early, it is easier to treat. Researchers at the University of Utah and Texas Tech University have identified a new approach for finding suspicious moles that could be melanoma: mole crowdsourcing.
Crowdsourcing refers to using crowds of people, often recruited online, to accomplish tasks. An individual performing a skin self-exam can miss about half of melanomas. But with mole crowdsourcing, one example showed if at least 19 out of 100 people think a mole is suspicious, then a doctor should examine it. Researchers are developing a cell phone application that will allow people to take a photo of a mole and have that image evaluated by other users. Learn more in The Scope Radio podcast about mole crowdsourcing, or about our Melanoma Program and the services it offers to diagnose and treat this disease.... Read More
Health Care Transformation, Research, Education, ClinicalMay 13, 2016
With so much information about cancer that is readily available, those impacted by a cancer diagnosis often experience a feeling of information overload.
The Cancer Learning Center (CLC) at HCI provides a welcoming environment where patients, families, and the general public can get answers to their questions about cancer. Trained health educators help visitors and callers navigate the potential for information overload and provide current, accurate information about treatment, side effects, and coping strategies. This resource is free for anyone with questions about cancer. Learn more about the G. Mitchell Morris Cancer Learning Center and how it began in our 2010 Annual Report, and other Education and Outreach programs at HCI.... Read More
In a finding that could lead to better treatment of smoking-related lung diseases, scientists are reporting that about half of current or former smokers with normal lung function have respiratory symptoms similar to COPD and an increased risk for exacerbations or “flare ups” of their symptoms despite a lack of COPD diagnosis. Many of these individuals show COPD-like symptoms, such as shortness of breath and difficulty exercising. Researchers note they also have a high rate of respiratory medication use despite a lack of data from clinical trials about appropriate treatment of this particular patient population. ... Read More
The United States Olympic Committee Today Announced the Addition of the University of Utah Health Care (UUHC) to the National Medical Network. UUHC Will Serve as a National Medical Center, Specializing in Orthopedic Medicine, Physical Medicine, Primary Care, Dentistry, psychiatry, ophthalmology and neurosurgery for elite U.S. athletes. The partnership will also include collaborative research and educational opportunities for athletes at the University of Utah. ... Read More
Select...Research, Health Care Transformation, Education, ClinicalMay 09, 2016
When the Salt Lake Bees take the field on Saturday, May 7 they will be playing for the name on the front and the back of their jersey. The Bees teamed up with Huntsman Cancer Foundation (HCF) to allow donors to pick the names on the back of the on-field jerseys for the team's 10th annual "Pack the Park Pink Night" at Smith's Ballpark on Saturday, May 7.... Read More
Health Care Transformation, Education, Clinical, ResearchMay 09, 2016
Brainlab announced that it has enrolled 11 of the expected 30 hospitals and healthcare systems in the national Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) Patient Registry. Launched in partnership with The American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) and the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO), the patient registry will gather important patient data, aiming to define national patterns of care in radiosurgery. The registry will have an eye to improving healthcare outcomes, supporting informed decision-making and potentially lowering the cost of care for patients.... Read More
Research, Health Care Transformation, Clinical, EducationMay 09, 2016
Alison Elliot, a nurse, knows her health is important. So when her fiftieth birthday rolled around, she scheduled a mammogram. She was called back for a second appointment, where they performed a biopsy on her breast.... Read More
Clinical, Research, Health Care Transformation, EducationMay 09, 2016
Despite studies that claim people with cancer are less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease--raising the possibility that what triggers cancer also prevents the neurodegenerative disorder--a new investigation finds a more somber explanation. Many cancer patients don't live long enough to get Alzheimer's. The research, led by investigators at Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah, was published in The Journals of Gerontology: Series B. ... Read More
Research, Education, Health Care Transformation, ClinicalMay 09, 2016
Elephants at their new Polk City home
The Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus' 11 remaining Asian elephants, after final May 1 performances in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and Providence, R.I., arrived last Thursday at Ringling's Center for Elephant Conservation in Polk City. The elephants joined Ringling's herd of 29 to live out their days.... Read More
Despite studies that claim people with cancer are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease--raising the possibility that what triggers cancer also prevents the neurodegenerative disorder--a new investigation finds a more somber explanation. Many cancer patients don’t live long enough to get Alzheimer’s. The research, led by investigators at Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah, was published in The Journals of Gerontology: Series B.... Read More
Despite studies that claim people with cancer are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease—raising the possibility that what triggers cancer also prevents the neurodegenerative disorder—a new investigation finds a more somber explanation. Many cancer patients don’t live long enough to get Alzheimer’s. The research, led by investigators at Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah, was published in The Journals of Gerontology: Series B.... Read More
Actress Angelina Jolie-Pitt made headlines when she went public with a decision to have a preventative double mastectomy and later surgery to remove her ovaries as well. Jolie-Pitt made these decisions because test results revealed she has a genetic mutation that significantly raises her risk of breast and ovarian cancer. This drew important attention to understanding inherited cancer risk – part of ongoing genetic research at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI).... Read More
Successful heart transplants require an experienced multidisciplinary team – both before and after the surgery. And the complexity of performing transplant surgery and taking care of the patients had not been possible in the country of Panama.... Read More
SurgeryEducation, Health Care Transformation, Research, ClinicalApr 08, 2016
Teamwork is the focus of HCI’s tumor boards, monthly meetings where all the specialists involved in treating a given type of cancer share their expertise to come up with a treatment plan for a patient. This exchange means every patient receives the best care, aiming not only for survival but the highest quality of life possible.
Dan HedlundTogether a team of doctors, social workers, and investigative researchers create a plan to treat an individual’s cancer with a combination of therapies. Learn how one patient, Dan Hedlund, is now cancer-free after undergoing treatment through HCI’s sarcoma multidisciplinary team.... Read More
End-stage heart failure patients treated with stem cells harvested from their own bone marrow experienced 37 percent fewer cardiac events - including deaths and hospital admissions related to heart failure - than a placebo-controlled group, reports a new study. Results from ixCELL-DCM, the largest cell therapy trial for treating heart failure to date, will be presented at the 2016 American College of Cardiology Scientific Session and published online in The Lancet on April 4.... Read More
Internal MedicineEducation, Research, Health Care Transformation, Apr 04, 2016
Huntsman Cancer Institute’s CEO and director, Mary Beckerle, PhD, has been asked to join Vice President Joe Biden’s Moonshot Program Initiative as an invited member of a new Blue Ribbon Panel, tasked with advising the National Cancer Advisory Board (NCAB) on the scientific opportunities available to accelerate progress against cancer and evaluate potential new investments in cancer research.... Read More
Clinical, Research, Health Care Transformation, EducationApr 01, 2016
No one plans on having a medical emergency, but if one happens, an advance directive outlines your plans and wishes for medical care. It tells your doctor and your family what decisions to make on your behalf, if you are unable to speak for yourself.
An advance directive is also called a living will. Even if you’re young and healthy, you can prepare for unforeseeable events with an advance directive. The forms for an advance directive vary by state, but most follow the same basic format. Learn more about advance directives and Utah advance health care directive forms and instructions from the University of Utah’s Center on Aging. ... Read More
The University of Utah’s Diabetes and Metabolism Center (DMC) has awarded grants to seven projects designed to advance research and practices to improve outcomes for those impacted by diabetes, metabolic abnormalities, and obesity. This year’s recipients come from nine departments at the University of Utah School of Medicine, College of Humanities, and College of Science, and draw from a wide variety of related disciplines.... Read More
Inheriting a mutation in the APC gene leads to a nearly 100% lifetime risk of colorectal cancer. While colon cancer can be kept at bay by removing the large intestine, these patients also have up to a 15% risk of getting cancer in the small intestine, which is the leading cause of cancer death in this patient group. A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), has identified the first prevention treatment for these patients, a two-drug combination that significantly reduces the number and size of precancerous polyps in the small intestine. ... Read More
There are limits to precision medicine – the genome-mapping wave permeating health care these days.
And no one is more aware of the gap between technology and science than cancer doctors.
A panel gathered at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) March 23 warned about the boundaries, even the dangers, of relying too much on “big data” to treat patients with uniquely variable diseases.... Read More
Education, Research, Health Care TransformationMar 22, 2016
Inheriting a mutation in the APC gene leads to a nearly 100% lifetime risk of colorectal cancer. While colon cancer can be kept at bay by removing the large intestine, these patients also have up to a 15% risk of getting cancer in the small intestine, which is the leading cause of cancer death in this patient group. A new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), has identified the first prevention treatment for these patients, a two-drug combination that significantly reduces the number and size of precancerous polyps in the small intestine.... Read More
Clinical, Health Care Transformation, Education, ResearchMar 18, 2016
The Huntsman 140 is a fundraising road cycling event on Saturday, June 18 in Salt Lake City, Utah. All funds raised through this one-day event go to Huntsman Cancer Foundation (HCF) to support cancer research at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI). Each rider is encouraged to fundraise $500 to support cancer research at HCI.
This ride is ideal for cyclists of all levels--from avid riders taking on the 140-mile challenge to newer pedalers enjoying the rolling 25-mile course. The variety of courses include 25-, 50-, 75-, and 140-mile routes.... Read More
By age 56, Roma Jean Ockler had endured 17 years of recurring infections and a life-threatening intestinal illness before finally receiving the right treatment for her condition. Her family’s genetic information was combined with that of five other families from across the world to classify a new immune disorder. The finding makes possible diagnosis at a young age so that doctors can intervene early and give the right treatment from the start.... Read More
University of Utah School of Medicine researchers have unexpectedly found that a drug that has been used for the past 50 years to treat heart failure and high blood pressure also inhibits infection by the Epstein Barr virus, which causes mono and is associated with several cancers.
The finding has broad implications: with modification, the drug could be used to treat other illness caused by this class of virus including shingles, mono, and herpes. ... Read More
Internal MedicineHealth Care Transformation, Research, Education, ClinicalMar 11, 2016
Cancer of unknown primary is a rare disease (3-5% of individuals diagnosed with cancer are diagnosed with a cancer of unknown primary) in which cancer cells have spread in the body but the place the cancer began is unknown. There are a number of reasons why the primary cancer may not be found. The primary tumor may be too small to find, or the body’s immune system may have already destroyed it. It’s also possible that the primary tumor was removed during surgery for another condition and doctors didn’t know the cancer was there.
Cancer has a language all its own and it’s that much harder if English is not your first language. That’s where Guadalupe Tovar, a health educator and patient navigator at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI), comes in. She helps Hispanic families navigate their cancer care.... Read More
The United States Olympic Committee today announced the formation of an Infectious Disease Advisory Group to be chaired by Carrie L. Byington, M.D., professor of pediatrics and infectious disease specialist at the University of Utah School of Medicine. Byington will be joined on the advisory group by Randy Taplitz, M.D., from the University of California, San Diego, and Capt. Martin S. Cetron, M.D., from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.... Read More
PediatricsEducation, Research, Health Care Transformation, ClinicalMar 04, 2016
Vice President Joe Biden already was thinking about ways to share “big data” across disciplines, hospital systems and state borders in his quest to defeat cancer.
But a five-volume gift of his family’s genealogy from leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a crash course in the Utah Population Database and a round table discussion with cancer researchers at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) Friday clinched it.... Read More
About eight percent of our DNA is viral in origin: remnants of ancient battles between infectious viruses and our ancestors. A new study published in Science by scientists at the University of Utah School of Medicine shows that evolution has repurposed some of these viral remains into weapons against its own kind. They find that bits of viral DNA embedded in our genome are regulating genes that are integral to our innate immune system.... Read More
Internal MedicineHealth Care Transformation, Education, ResearchFeb 29, 2016
(February 26, 2016) – Today Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) hosted Vice President Joe Biden as a part of the White House administration’s “moonshot” initiative to double the rate of progress toward curing cancer. During his visit, the vice president toured the facility, was given an inside look at the Utah Population Database and participated in a roundtable discussion comprised of Huntsman Cancer Foundation board chairman Jon Huntsman Jr., CEO and director of HCI Dr. Mary Beckerle and Senator Orrin Hatch. Local cancer survivors and physicians, researchers and experts in the field also participated in the roundtable.... Read More
Education, Research, Health Care TransformationFeb 26, 2016
University of Utah biochemist Danny Chou, Ph.D., is one of four researchers worldwide to receive a grant from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and the pharmaceutical company Sanofi US Services Inc. to develop glucose-responsive insulin to help millions of people with Type 1 diabetes (T1D) maintain proper blood glucose levels. ... Read More
A University of Utah-led initiative to help people with rare and untreatable diseases was highlighted by the White House at the Precision Medicine Initiative Summit today. Patient Empowered Precision Medicine Alliance (PEPMA) will lay the groundwork for a pipeline that rapidly matches patients with rare diseases that are untreatable with current therapies to the right drugs for their condition, at a relatively low cost.... Read More
With three sets of breast cancer screening guidelines giving conflicting sets of recommendations, it’s no wonder that patients and physicians are confused. A new study shows that adding to the confusion are the guidelines themselves. More often than not, cancer screening guidelines either leave out important information about the benefits, or harms, of certain recommendations, or presents information in a biased way.... Read More
A Utah research company has teamed up with the Huntsman Cancer Foundation in an effort to raise funds and awareness for cancer research.
Today, Provo-based Qualtrics announced a new campaign, Five for the Fight, which invites everyone around the globe to give $5 to the fight against cancer and to challenge five others to do the same.... Read More
Clinical, Research, Health Care TransformationFeb 08, 2016
It's a pervasive dilemma in health care. Though the industry is in flux, and we know "business-as-usual" can't last, there’s no real urgency to change because the old way of doing things is still lucrative.... Read More
On February 3-5, 2016, the third annual Cholangiocarcinoma conference was held at the University of Utah. Experts from around the world gathered to share important research and updates about this disease. ... Read More
Mary Elizabeth Hartnett, MD, FACS, FARVO, has been named the 2016 recipient of the Paul Henkind Memorial Lecture and Award by the Macula Society.... Read More
Quality improvement including University of Utah Health Care Value Driven Outcomes tool reduces numbers of inpatient lab tests, lab costs.... Read More
That research mission of the college, one of the first nursing research institutions in the West, has earned a No. 2 ranking for 2015 funding* from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). ... Read More
The campaign to immunize children to protect against the cancer-causing human papillomavirus (HPV) has never quite gone mainstream. And new research from University of Utah College of Nursing Assistant Professor Deanna Kepka reveals just how difficult it might be to meet national objectives for herd immunity.
... Read More
Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB) has awarded a grant of $115,000 to the John A. Moran Eye Center at the University of Utah to support research into the causes, treatment, and prevention of blinding diseases. ... Read More
On Jan. 14-15, the University of Utah School of Medicine will become the worldwide focus of heart recovery medicine when leading scientists and clinicians from across the globe come to Salt Lake City for the Utah Cardiac Recovery Symposium (U-CARS). Now in its fourth year, the one-of-a-kind conference has been described as a “think tank” where hundreds of cardiologists, surgeons, radiologists, anesthesiologists, ER physicians, nurses, pharmacists, research scientists and more converge to push forward the field of heart recovery. ... Read More
In 2015, University of Utah Health Sciences investigators made notable discoveries in topics ranging from cancer to diabetes to lower back pain. Here are some of our favorites moments from the year. ... Read More
What does excellent health care look like? It’s a question on the mind of every health industry leader in this country, and it’s a question of value. For all that we spend on health care in the U.S., what do we get in return? Are we getting our money’s worth?
At University of Utah Health Sciences, I’m proud to say, the answer is yes.
... Read More
SALT LAKE CITY - Brain scans from nearly 200 adolescent boys provide evidence that the brains of compulsive video game players are wired differently. Chronic video game play is associated with hyperconnectivity between several pairs of brain networks. Some of the changes are predicted to help game players respond to new information. Other changes are associated with distractibility and poor impulse control. The research, a collaboration between the University of Utah School of Medicine, and Chung-Ang University in South Korea, was published online in Addiction Biology on Dec. 22, 2015. ... Read More
RadiologyResearch, Health Care TransformationDec 17, 2015
Diversity fuels innovation. I’ve written about this before—about how creative solutions to big problems requires a diversity of thought and perspective. Today, I’ve invited our associate vice president for faculty and academic affairs Carrie Byington, M.D., to explain a mentoring program that is making campus a better, more inclusive place to learn, work and innovate while helping to solve the physician-scientist shortage.... Read More
Forging a synergistic partnership with the University of Utah, the BRAIN Initiative awarded $2.77 million in National Science Foundation grants to neuroscience faculty in 2015. ... Read More
Cancer usually begins in one location and then spreads, but in 3-5% of cancer patients, the tissue where a cancer began is unknown. In these individuals a cancer diagnosis is made because it has metastasized to other sites. Patients with these so-called “cancers of unknown primary,” or CUP, have a very poor prognosis, with a median survival of three months. A new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Oncology finds that family members of CUP patients are at higher risk of developing CUP themselves, as well as cancers of the lung, pancreas, colon, and some cancers of the blood.... Read More
University of Utah associate vice provost for research Rena D’Souza, D.D.S., Ph.D., soon will serve in the senior leadership of the International Association for Dental Research (IADR). ... Read More
Select...Health Care Transformation, Research, Education, ClinicalDec 07, 2015
Think academic medicine is stodgy, hidebound or slow to innovate? Think again. Faculty, scientists and administrators of the nation’s teaching hospitals are actually quite progressive and optimistic about the future of medicine.... Read More
Clinical, Health Care Transformation, ResearchDec 04, 2015
Don't expect precision medicine to bring relief from soaring health care costs.
Genetically targeting therapies to those patients most likely to benefit spares them the time and toxicity of trying ineffective drugs. That’s a good thing for patients, and in theory, a money-saver. But the economics of drug discovery suggest otherwise.... Read More
Health Care Transformation, Research, ClinicalDec 03, 2015
Michael Boehnke, Ph.D. has spent two decades searching for the genetic roots of type 2 diabetes, which affects more than 300 million individuals worldwide and accounts for 10 percent of U.S. health care costs. Progress may seem slow, but today, we know of more than 100 common markers for type 2 diabetes and more than 60 for glucose intolerance and insulin resistance, he says.... Read More
He’s been called a “medical mystery man,” a “super diagnostician,” and “one of the last, best hopes for people suffering from rare, debilitating and undiagnosed medical conditions.” But don’t compare him to Dr. House.... Read More
Diagnostics are “the gateway” to precision medicine. They are “absolutely critical,” and it’s critical that the science behind them be “precise, accurate and actionable,” emphasized Dean Li, M.D., Ph.D., at a University of Utah-sponsored “Frontiers in Precision Medicine” conference this month. ... Read More
One of the most fundamental challenges that a cell faces is how to bring membranes that are far apart, close together. New research in Science shows how cellular machinery, called ESCRT (Endosomal Sorting Complexes Required for Transport), accomplishes this essential task. ... Read More
BiochemistryHealth Care Transformation, ResearchDec 03, 2015
Cancer is the leading cause of disease-related death in children, and “10 to 30 percent of such cases are related to a genetic risk”—a cruel fate that can make families feel helpless, says pediatric oncologist Joshua Schiffman, M.D. But it’s in the genetics where hope gets a foothold.... Read More
On December 2, 2015, lead investigators of interdisciplinary teams will present their research toward advancing customized healthcare. Each team is recipient of a seed grant from University of Utah’s Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) and Program in Personalized Health pilot program designed to combine talent, resources, and perspectives from across disciplines in order to spur translational research related to personalized health. ... Read More
Select...Education, Health Care Transformation, ResearchNov 19, 2015
Aspirin has been shown to decrease the risk of colorectal cancer and possibly other cancers. However, the risk of side effects, including in some cases severe gastrointestinal bleeding, makes it necessary to better understand the mechanisms by which aspirin acts at low doses before recommending it more generally as a preventative, says Cornelia Ulrich, PhD, Senior Director of Population Sciences at Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City.... Read More
YouScript predictive medication analytics, a clinical decision support tool used by doctors to guide genetic testing and improve drug treatments, has been shown to cut ER visits by almost three-quarters and reduce hospitalizations by more than one-third in elderly patients taking multiple medications. Researchers from the University of Utah compared those who received YouScript-guided genetic testing and analysis in a prospective group to those who did not in a matched retrospective cohort. YouScript was shown to reduce ER visits by 71 percent and hospitalizations by 39 percent in the tested population compared to the statistically matched group.... Read More
Every few years, the AAMC publishes results from research assessing public perception of medical schools and academic medical centers. The 2015 research recently concluded. Bill McInturff, co-founder of Public Opinion Strategies (POS), presented a summary of the findings at the AAMC’s Learn · Serve · Lead conference in Baltimore.... Read More
A new study finds that at least 16.8 million Americans could potentially benefit from lowering their systolic blood pressure (SBP) to 120 mmHg, much lower than current guidelines of 140 or 150 mmHg. The collaborative investigation between the University of Utah, University of Alabama at Birmingham, and Columbia University, will be published Nov. 9 online in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC).... Read More
Patients whose blood pressure target was lowered to reach a systolic goal of less than 120 mmHg had their risk for heart attack, heart failure or stroke reduced by 24 percent, and their risk for death lowered by 27 percent. Compared to a systolic blood pressure goal of less than 140 mmHg, aggressive treatment appeared to be as effective for elderly participants as for adults age 50-74, according to results from the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) presented at the American Heart Association meeting and published online in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) on Nov. 9. ... Read More
Internal MedicineHealth Care Transformation, Research, Education, ClinicalNov 08, 2015
Payers and providers are fast adopting new ways of paying for care and shedding fee-for-service constraints to doing what they’ve long known to be in the best interest of patients. It's not easy, but it's a trend that's here to stay.... Read More
How can you secure research grant funding, attract institutional philanthropic gifts and engage—even inspire—the audience at your next presentation?... Read More
Research, Education, Health Care TransformationNov 06, 2015
University of Utah pediatrician and Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs Carrie Byington, M.D. reflects on her career path and the obstacles she overcame as a Mexican-American woman growing up in south Texas with no physician role models. “It’s not about success. There are successes and those are great. There are failures and those are hard,” she confides. “It’s about how you spend your time. In the amount of time you have here, how are you going spend it, how are you going to make a difference?”... Read More
Research, Clinical, Health Care Transformation, EducationNov 04, 2015
Women make most family health decisions and largely dictate how the country's health dollars are spent. But they have decidedly less influence in how major health organizations are run. Why, and what can be done to remedy the imbalance?... Read More
Clinical, Health Care Transformation, Research, RecognitionNov 03, 2015
Angela Fagerlin, Ph.D., an internationally known researcher at the University of Michigan, will join the University of Utah as the first permanent chair of the School of Medicine's new Department of Population Health Sciences.... Read More
The Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) has honored Eric Swanson, M.D., medical director of AirMed and emergency medicine physician at University of Utah Health Care, as the Barbara A. Hess Research & Education Award 2015 recipient. ... Read More
SurgeryResearch, Health Care Transformation, EducationOct 28, 2015
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced October 27 that it has approved, for the first time, an oncolytic (cancer-killing) viral therapy in the U.S. The drug was approved for use against late stage melanoma, a deadly skin cancer that can be difficult to treat.... Read More
Health Care Transformation, Clinical, ResearchOct 22, 2015
Astrophysicist, biologist, computer scientist, genetic virologist, glaciologist, molecular animator—what do you imagine when you hear these words? “What do you see when you picture a scientist?” asks TED writer Karen Eng in a provocatively titled article, “12 badass scientists…who also happen to be women.”
... Read More
Truck drivers who are frequently fatigued after work, use cell phones while driving, or have an elevated pulse pressure – a potential predictor of cardiovascular disease - may be at increased risk for getting into truck accidents, according to a study by the Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health (RMCOEH) at the University of Utah School of Medicine and published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (JOEM). ... Read More
No one wants to admit their biases. We’d all like to believe that we’re blind to gender, race and ethnicity. I challenge you, though, to look at these photos and then ask yourself: Are these the images that first come to mind when you hear the words “CEO,” “surgeon,” or “scientist?”... Read More
A study led by the University of Utah School of Medicine has identified molecular mechanisms that control an immune cell’s ability to remember. They found that in helper T cells, the proteins Oct1 and OCA-B work together to put immune response genes on standby so that they are easily activated when the body is re-exposed to a pathogen. The research, which could inform strategies for developing better vaccines, was performed in collaboration with scientists from The Broad Institute and University of Michigan, and published in The Journal of Experimental Medicine.... Read More
Nobel laureate Mario R. Capecchi, Ph.D., and Vivian S. Lee, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A., receive the rare honor of being elected to the National Academy of Medicine (NAM).
... Read More
Human GeneticsResearch, Education, Recognition, ClinicalOct 19, 2015
Nelson, a cardiothoracic surgeon known for building the first heart-lung bypass machine used on a human, was the keynote speaker at the School of Medicine alumni event celebrating 60 years of cardiac surgery in Utah.... Read More
Recently I was asked by a recruit, “What’s the ‘one thing’ you are trying to achieve for the University of Utah Health Sciences?” I suppose he was alluding to the book by Gary Keller, which has been very popular of late among the business set.... Read More
A study led by the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah could explain why elephants rarely get cancer. Published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), the results show that elephants have extra modified copies of a gene encoding a well known cancer inhibitor, p53. The elephants may also have a more robust mechanism for killing damaged cells that are at risk for becoming cancerous. The findings suggest extra p53 could explain elephants’ enhanced cancer resistance and lead to new strategies for treating cancer in people. Pediatric oncologist Joshua Schiffman, who led the study, describes the research and what it could mean for treating cancer in people.... Read More
Why elephants rarely get cancer is a mystery that has stumped scientists for decades. A study led by researchers at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah and Arizona State University, and including researchers from the Ringling Bros. Center for Elephant Conservation, may have found the answer.... Read More
In its effort to develop and implement strategies to stop the spread of infectious diseases, including Ebola, in health care settings, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has chosen the University of Utah and five other institutions nationwide to partner with the agency to spur innovations that help control the transmission of such organisms.... Read More
Academic research can be a solitary pursuit, cloistered in clinics and labs physically—and intellectually—distant from patients.
But what if the patients themselves worked the science? Helped test the equipment and trouble-shoot the computer interface? What if they “broke” things and helped with the “fix”?
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A team of University of Utah researchers has received a $5.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering to develop an informatics platform that will make it possible to crowdsource scientific data and, eventually, pinpoint the cause of a child’s asthma.... Read More
Not actionable. Matt and Cristina Might would like to see those words stricken from medicine’s vernacular.
To parents of children with ill-defined diseases, those words are disempowering, signaling another dead end in the search for a diagnosis and treatment. They're also misleading, says Matt Might, Ph.D., University of Utah associate professor of computer science and adviser to President Obama’s precision medicine initiative. Because in the absence of actionable knowledge, treatments or cures, “science becomes medicine,” he says.
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Price is one thing, but how much does it actually cost to deliver health care? The University of Utah is among a handful of health systems able to track its costs, right down to the supplies used during surgery. The information is being used to improve care and bend the cost curve.... Read More
A relatively healthy diet before pregnancy is linked to a lower rate of certain heart abnormalities in babies at birth, finds researchers at the University of Utah School of Medicine.... Read More
As advances in medicine are giving rise to growing numbers of children who survive severe heart defects, it’s emerging that over half have behavioral problems and difficulty keeping up academically. The University of Utah School of Medicine was awarded $6.4 million from the National Institutes of Health to identify causes of these disabilities, focusing on a search for genetic lesions that affect both the heart and brain. The goal is to be able to predict patient outcomes from genetic data, so that health care providers can intervene early.... Read More
A high proportion of reproductive-age women may be experiencing pelvic pain that goes untreated, according to a study by researchers from the National Institutes of Health and the University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City.... Read More
A study led by the University of Utah School of Medicine finds that every child puts a household at increased risk for viral infections. Childless households had infections during 3-4 weeks of the year, while families with six children were infected for 45 weeks. But only half who tested positive reported feeling ill. Published in Clinical Infectious Diseases, the results can help families and health care providers know when illness should be cause for concern.... Read More
Researchers at the University of Utah School of Medicine report on a version of genetic parental control in mice that is more targeted, and subtle than canonical imprinting. Published in Cell Reports, so-called noncanonical imprinting is particularly prevalent in the brain, and skews the genetic message in subpopulations of cells so that mom, or dad, has a stronger say. The mechanism can influence offspring behavior, and because it is observed more frequently than classic imprinting, appears to be preferred. ... Read More
A new clinical trial to test how a high dose of stem cells delivered via a method called “retrograde coronary sinus infusion” affects end stage heart failure patients is showing promising results. The trial, conducted by an international team led by researchers at the University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT appears in the current issue of STEM CELLS Translational Medicine. ... Read More
Internal MedicineHealth Care Transformation, Research, EducationJul 22, 2015
As part of a multi-institutional effort, researchers with Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah have found that multiple myeloma patients with a genetic variation in the gene FOPNL die on average 1-3 years sooner than patients without it.... Read More
Researchers have found that multiple myeloma patients with a genetic variation in the gene FOPNL die on average 1-3 years sooner than patients without it. The finding was identified with a genetic mapping technique, genome wide association studies (GWAS), and verified in patient populations from North America and Europe. Published in Nature Communications, this was the first study to survey the entire human genome for genetic variation influencing survival, and is a first step toward applying precision medicine to multiple myeloma.... Read More
A study suggests that differences in the routines of individual providers drives variation in antibiotic prescribing more than differences in patient characteristics, standards of practice at different hospitals, or clinical settings (emergency department, primary care, urgent care). The report, led by the Veterans Affairs Salt Lake City Health Care System and the University of Utah and published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, is an important step toward understanding the problem of antibiotic overuse, a major public health concern given the rise in antibiotic-resistant “superbugs”.... Read More
When U.S. adults are hospitalized with pneumonia, viruses are more often to blame than bacteria. However, despite current diagnostic tests, neither viruses nor bacteria are detected in the majority of these patients according to a study released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). ... Read More
PediatricsHealth Care Transformation, Education, ResearchJul 09, 2015
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has awarded Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah its Comprehensive Cancer Center status, the highest designation possible.... Read More
Despite an increasing ease in acquiring genetic information, the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) points out that doing so has consequences, particularly when it comes to children. It is this population, they say, that is the most vulnerable.
With this precaution in mind, the ASHG Workgroup on Pediatric Genetic and Genomic Testing has issued guidelines for genetic testing in children and adolescents that are based on a thorough review of studies on ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI). The recommendations were published in The American Journal of Human Genetics. ... Read More
The University of Utah’s Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) and Program in Personalized Health has awarded grants to eight interdisciplinary projects to advance research and practices leading toward customizing healthcare to the individual patient.... Read More
Up to 22 percent of surgical patients experience unexpected complications and must be readmitted for post-operative care. A study led by the University of Utah suggests that returning to the same hospital is important for recovery. Readmission to a different hospital was associated with a 26 percent increased risk for dying within 90 days. The results, published in The Lancet, have implications for patients who take part in domestic medical tourism programs.
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Genomics England announced that it will be using technology co-developed in a partnership between the University of Utah and Omicia to interpret the DNA of Britons as part of the 100,000 Genomes Project, a national effort to hasten creation of diagnostics and treatments that are tailored to a person’s genetic make-up. The VAAST (Variant Annotation, Analysis and Search Tool) and Phevor (Phenotype Driven Variant Ontological Re-ranking tool) algorithms are core components of the Omicia Opal platform, which transforms genomic data into clinically relevant information.... Read More
The University of Utah’s Neuroscience Initiative has awarded seed grants to six collaborative projects aimed at deepening our understanding of the brain in disease and in health, and transforming this knowledge into innovative solutions for patient care.... Read More
At a time when the nation is so singularly focused on the business of health care –– on getting lean, bending the cost curve, and treating patients as consumers –– it can feel as if medicine has strayed from its roots, its raison d'être. Why, then, as I reflect on the challenges and opportunities facing our graduating Class of 2015, I am filled with so much optimism?
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The Utah Parkinson Disease Registry (UPDR.org) was launched last week in an effort to understand an apparent rise in PD by 30 percent over the last ten years in Utah, and to uncover causes of the disease. Effective March 12, 2015, the Utah State Board of Health requires that health care providers report cases of PD and related movement disorders. Because Utah has one of the highest rates of PD in the nation, it is uniquely poised to contribute toward a new understanding of the disease.... Read More
Assistant professor of physical therapy Micah Drummond, Ph.D., wields a rare trait that is becoming increasingly sought after in the world of scientific inquiry: he’s as equally comfortable explaining an exercise regimen to an elderly study volunteer as he is staring down a microscope. His translational approach to uncovering the secrets of staving off muscle loss during aging has earned him the 2015 Outstanding Junior Investigator Award from the American Geriatric Society.... Read More
Family health portraits are growing in importance as scientists race to find the genetic causes of all manner of diseases, and develop targeted drugs, treatments and personalized prevention plans. Most Americans understand this; 96 percent consider family health histories to be “very important” or “somewhat important,” according to 2014 survey by a pediatric oncologist and Associate Professor of Pediatrics here at the University of Utah. Yet fewer than 37 percent actively compile such information.... Read More
A new study reveals the genetic causes of a curious, rare syndrome that manifests as hypertension (high blood pressure) accompanied by short fingers (brachydactyly type E). Six unrelated families with the syndrome come from across the globe – United States, Turkey, France, South America, and two from Canada – yet share mutations that cluster in a small region of phosphodiesterase 3A (PDE3A). Functional studies imply the mutations change resistance of blood vessels, an underappreciated mechanism for regulating blood pressure. The findings, published in Nature Genetics, suggest new directions for investigating causes of hypertension in the general population. ... Read More
A new study suggests that engaging in low intensity activities such as standing may not be enough to offset the health hazards of sitting for long periods of time. On the bright side, adding two minutes of walking each hour to your routine just might do the trick. These findings were published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN).... Read More
A large-scale, multicenter study co-led by the University of Utah School of Medicine shows that emergency body cooling provides no benefit over actively maintaining normal body temperature in infants or children after cardiac arrest. Children treated by each of the two methods had equal rates of mortality and brain injury. The results were presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies Annual Meeting in San Diego and published simultaneously in the New England Journal of Medicine. ... Read More
PediatricsHealth Care Transformation, Education, ResearchApr 21, 2015
Children with cancer have a good chance of surviving the disease—today more than 80% survive due to advances in treatment and care. However, recent studies have shown that some of these more than 420,000 U.S. childhood cancer survivors face future health related challenges as they become adults such as a second cancer diagnosis, cardiac failure, or other severe medical complications.... Read More
Mario R. Capecchi, PhD, will be honored for his tremendous scientific contributions, which have had a profound impact on the understanding of cancer, including his groundbreaking work in the development of gene targeting technology, with the 12th annual American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Award for Lifetime Achievement in Cancer Research at the AACR Annual Meeting 2015, to be held in Philadelphia, April 18-22. ... Read More
University of Utah scientists have uncovered patterns of DNA anomalies that predict a woman’s outcome significantly better than tumor stage. In addition, these patterns are the first known indicator of how well a woman will respond to platinum therapy. Published in the journal PLOS ONE, the patterns were discovered by using a new mathematical technique in the analysis of DNA profiles from the Cancer Genome Atlas, a national database containing data from hundreds of ovarian cancer patients. ... Read More
Compared to other types of breast cancer, triple negative breast cancers are often more aggressive and have fewer treatment options. In a new study published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), researchers at Huntsman Cancer Institute and the University of Utah have identified a molecular mechanism that triple negative breast cancer cells use to survive and grow.... Read More
A University of Utah study published in Nature Genetics is the first to document how genes build the diaphragm. This is important, writes New York Times science writer Carl Zimmer, because the diaphragm appears to have played a pivotal role in our evolution as a species. It also helps explain what goes wrong in babies born with a catastrophic birth defect know as a congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). ... Read More
Previous studies by an international team of malaria researchers had shown that this condition is also marked by lower production of nitric oxide in the cells lining these micro-vessels. Reversing this deficiency could help prevent malaria-infected red cells from sticking to blood vessel walls and avoid this dire condition.
A follow-up study by these researchers in Tanzania, Indonesia, Australia and the U.S. has shown one reason for poor nitric oxide production. A critical co-factor for an enzyme that produces nitric oxide must be “charged” with potential energy.
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Martin McMahon, Ph.D., joins Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah in August as Professor in the Department of Dermatology and HCI Senior Director of Pre-Clinical Translation. ... Read More
Martin McMahon, Ph.D., joins Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah in August as Professor in the Department of Dermatology and HCI Senior Director of Pre-Clinical Translation.
Professor McMahon is currently the Efim Guzik Distinguished Professor of Cancer Biology at the University of California, San Francisco and Assistant Director of Professional Education and Co-leader of the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center (HCFCCC) Developmental Therapeutics Program.... Read More
Imagine being a young scientist today. A steady drumbeat of authority figures have encouraged you to pursue science and technology. You’re told there’s a shortage of people trained to work in these fields. But by the time you finish your graduate work, you learn there are more Ph.D.’s than there is funding to support them––that your federal grant application has a one in six chance of getting funded. ... Read More
Although many genetic mutations have been linked to CDH, a new study from the University of Utah School of Medicine is the first to demonstrate a linkage between genetic variation and a physiological mechanism that gives rise to defects in the diaphragm. The research points to a crucial role for connective tissue in CDH, and in guiding normal development of the diaphragm. These findings were published March 25, 2015, in Nature Genetics.... Read More
A group of 18 leaders in the field of genomic engineering have written a perspective to be published in the journal Science Express on March 19, cautioning fellow scientists from going down this path too quickly. They call for a moratorium on genetically engineering changes in human DNA that would be passed to future generations. Before this can happen, they say, scientists, clinicians, and the general public must agree on the best ways to ensure the safety and efficacy of the technology. ... Read More
BiochemistryResearch, Clinical, Health Care Transformation, EducationMar 17, 2015
Cynthia Furse’s teenage daughter was skilled in math and science and had voiced an interest in engineering. But based on a career aptitude test that showed she liked helping people, a school counselor insisted nursing was a better fit.
Why nursing and not medical school – or engineering, for that matter? And why should engineering be perceived as incompatible with wanting to help people, Furse wondered.... Read More
Health Care Transformation, Education, Clinical, ResearchMar 16, 2015
It is with sadness that I say farewell to Don McClain, who, on April 1 departs for Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center to found and direct a new Center on Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.... Read More
Members of the public can touch a human brain or move a ball with their thoughts during Brain Awareness Day on Saturday, March 21 at the Leonardo museum. Admission to the entire museum will be free all day.
Brain Awareness Day activities will be presented at the museum from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the atrium of the Leonardo, 209 E. 500 South in downtown Salt Lake City.... Read More
The Health Services Research Conference Program Committee invites current and future researchers, policy makers, clinicians, administrators, public health practitioners, and other interested members of the community to attend the 10th annual Utah Health Services Research Conference: Considering Data Quality in Health Services Research. ... Read More
To investigate the specific causes and prevalence of childhood CAP, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) led the Etiology of Pneumonia in the Community (EPIC) study in collaboration with institutions including University of Utah Health Sciences. They report that among children diagnosed with pneumonia, viral infections were much more common than bacterial infections (73 vs. 15 percent), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was the most commonly detected pathogen. The results, which could inform improved strategies for prevention and treatment, were published in The New England Journal of Medicine.... Read More
University of Utah neurologists Stefan Pulst, M.D., and Summer Gibson, M.D., are authors on a collaborative, multi-institutional study published in the journal Science. The research identifies mutations in a gene, TBK1, as contributing to ALS.... Read More
Scientists have created a novel, long-lasting "smart" insulin that self-activates when blood sugar soars. Tests on mouse models for type 1 diabetes show that one injection works for a minimum of 14 hours, during which it can repeatedly and automatically lower blood sugar levels after simulated meals, mimicking blood sugar recovery in healthy mice. The finding represents an important advance in insulin therapy for diabetics and will be published Feb. 9 in PNAS Early Edition.... Read More
Scientists at the University of Utah and the University of Georgia have uncovered a pharmacological target that could enable development of novel drugs against antibiotic-resistant pathogens, including Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other infectious Gram-positive organisms such as Listeria and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The target was revealed upon discovery of a Gram-positive bacteria-specific pathway for making heme, an essential iron-carrying molecule. The findings were reported in the journal, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). ... Read More
Recently, Willard H. Dere, M.D., FACP––an internationally regarded medical researcher and leader in the biopharmaceutical industry, and former U. faculty member––returned to the University of Utah to lead our Program in Personalized Health. Dere comes to us following 25 years in the biopharmaceutical industry where he held top posts at some of the world’s largest drug makers, such as Amgen and Eli Lilly. A history major in college, Dere offers an interesting perspective on advances in health care and the emerging role of personalized medicine. ... Read More
Researchers at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah have found that defects in how cells are squeezed out of overcrowded tissue to die, a process called extrusion, may be a mechanism by which pancreatic cancer begins. From these findings, they may have identified an effective way to reverse the defective extrusion’s effects without destroying normal tissues nearby. The results were published in the latest edition of the journal eLife.... Read More
As many as 1.4 million Americans suffer from uncomfortable abdominal cramping and diarrhea that come with ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. These conditions, collectively known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), are associated with an imbalance among the thousands of species of “good” bacteria that inhabit the gut. A University of Utah study published on Jan. 22, 2015, in Cell Host and Microbe demonstrates that the immune system protein MyD88 mediates a conversation between the immune system and good bacteria in the gut that is key to digestive health.... Read More
Hosted by University of Utah School of Medicine and faculty from the Divisions of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Cardiology, cardiology professionals from around the world will gather to learn and exchange ideas with world-renowned health leaders. ... Read More
A discovery by researchers at Huntsman Cancer Institute shows that looking at whether a man’s uncles and great-grandparents, among other second- and third-degree relatives, had prostate cancer could be as important as looking at whether his father had prostate cancer. A more complete family history would give physicians a new tool to decide whether or not a PSA test was appropriate.... Read More
A discovery by researchers at Huntsman Cancer Institute shows that looking at whether a man’s uncles and great-grandparents, among other second- and third-degree relatives, had prostate cancer could be as important as looking at whether his father had prostate cancer. A more complete family history would give physicians a new tool to decide whether or not a PSA test was appropriate.... Read More
Open any introductory biology textbook and one of the first things you’ll learn is that our DNA spells out the instructions for making proteins, tiny machines that do much of the work in our body’s cells. Results from a study published on Jan. 2 in Science defy textbook science, showing for the first time that the building blocks of a protein, called amino acids, can be assembled without blueprints – DNA and an intermediate template called messenger RNA (mRNA). A team of researchers has observed a case in which another protein specifies which amino acids are added. ... Read More
Examination of DNA from 21 primate species - from squirrel monkeys to humans - exposes an evolutionary war against infectious bacteria over iron that circulates in the bloodstream. Supported by experimental evidence, these findings, published in Science on Dec. 12, demonstrate the vital importance of an underappreciated defense mechanism, nutritional immunity. ... Read More
Develop 100 drugs in 10 years. That?s the ambitious goal set by a group of scientists and engineers at the University of Utah, founders of Recursion Pharmaceuticals.... Read More
Researchers from Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah (U of U) discovered the unusual role of lactate in the metabolism of alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS), a rare, aggressive cancer that primarily affects adolescents and young adults. The study also confirmed that a fusion gene is the cancer-causing agent in this disease. The research results were published online in the journal Cancer Cell November 26.... Read More
Bam.iobio (http://bam.iobio.io/) is the first app of its kind that allows scientists to analyze genome sequence data on their web browser, interactively, and in real-time, without having to rely on terabytes of storage and vast sources of computing power. The resource, developed by a team led by Gabor Marth, D.Sc., co-director of the USTAR Center for Genetic Discovery and human genetics professor at the University of Utah, appears online in the journal Nature Methods on Nov. 25.... Read More
Michael Deininger, MD, PhD, a Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) investigator and professor of internal medicine at the University of Utah, has been listed among the world’s Highly Cited Researchers in 2014 by Thomson Reuters, an international media firm. The list includes more than 3,000 authors worldwide in 21 science and social science fields, representing the top 1% of authors most cited in their specialty areas for the years 2002 to 2012.... Read More
Black children are less likely to be diagnosed with and less likely to receive broad-spectrum antibiotics for ear infections than white children are, a new study has found. But the discrepancy in prescribing fewer broad-spectrum antibiotics means black children actually are more likely to receive care that aligns with the recommended guidelines for treating ear infections. Two possible behaviors behind this finding is overtreatment and overdiagnosis in white children and undertreatment and underdiagnosis in black children. The research appears in Pediatrics online on Nov. 17, 2014.... Read More
Neeraj Agarwal, MD, a Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) investigator and associate professor of medicine at the University of Utah, has received the 2014 Cancer Clinical Investigator Team Leadership Award from the National Cancer Institute (NCI). This highly competitive award recognizes exceptional cancer investigators for contributions to advancing clinical research through collaborative team science.... Read More
David Eccles Business School along with the Center for Medical Innovation and Entertainment and Media Arts Engineering School have come together to form the Games4Health Challenges... Read More
Harvard Business Review recently highlighted a few healthcare systems who are leading the way in innovation and the changing healthcare landscape. Included in that list was University of Utah Health Care for being the first to post patient comments on physician profiles. ... Read More
Twitter isn't just for Justin Bieber fans anymore. More and more doctors are using the microblogging service to find each other, and to share research. University of Utah Hospital Associate Vice President for Clinical Affairs Sean Mulvihill, M.D., spoke with Emory University's Richard Duszak, M.D., (@RichDuszak) about all that can be accomplished in 140 characters or less. ... Read More
Academia is hierarchical, a space where faculty are judged by the size of their NIH grants and research portfolios. But entrepreneurs can have just as great an impact on patient care and the bottom line¿and who better to tinker and dream than students?... Read More
A team of researchers from Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah (U of U) will receive more than $1 million over the next three years from a Department of Defense grant to investigate the cellular controls that contribute to breast cancer metastasis... Read More
A team of researchers from Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah (U of U) will receive more than $1 million over the next three years from a Department of Defense grant to investigate the cellular controls that contribute to breast cancer metastasis.... Read More
University of Utah Health Plans and Molina Healthcare of Utah, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Molina Healthcare, Inc., have recently partnered to provide Utah seniors with a Medicare Advantage Plan, Healthy Advantage Plus. ... Read More
Researchers at HCI have identified and characterized mutated forms of the gene that encodes BCR-ABL, the unregulated enzyme driving the blood cancer chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).... Read More
Complex 3D scientific animation is replacing rough sketches and furthering the understanding of complex molecular movement and development. And University of Utah researcher and TED fellow Janet Iwasa, Ph.D., is collaborating with top scientists across the country to create comprehensive molecular models for different viruses, including the AIDS virus. ... Read More
A team of physician-researchers from Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah (U of U) will receive nearly $3.6 million over the next five years in a cooperative agreement with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to establish a Network Lead Academic Participating Site (NLAPS). The award places HCI in an elite group of only 30 to 40 NLAPS locations nationwide; these sites are part of the NIH effort to create a new National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN).... Read More
Hospitals & Health Networks magazine recognized University of Utah Health Care as one of the nation¿s "most wired" institutions according to its 2014 Most Wired Survey released. ... Read More
Patients who have post-operative complications following high-risk surgery have a significantly lower risk of being readmitted to the hospital within 30 days if they go see their primary care physician soon following discharge, a new study in JAMA Surgery shows.... Read More
Only 15% of patients with squamous cell lung cancer – the second most common lung cancer – survive five years past diagnosis. Little is understood about how the deadly disease arises, preventing development of targeted therapies that could serve as a second line of defense once standard chemotherapy regimens fail.... Read More
Four new genes have been added to the growing list of those known to cause increased breast cancer risk when mutated through the efforts of researchers at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah, who lead an international consortium working to find more gene mutations that cause inherited breast cancer susceptibilities.... Read More
Researchers have found that the reduction of a key measure of reduced kidney function and chronic kidney disease is an independent risk factor for renal and urothelial cancer.... Read More
Researchers who investigated the level of kidney function and subsequent cancer risk in more than one million adults have found that reduced glomerular filtration rate (GFR) — a key measure of reduced kidney function and chronic kidney disease (CKD) — is an independent risk factor for renal and urothelial cancer but not other cancer types.... Read More
In the body, a skin cell will always be skin, and a heart cell will always be heart. But in the first hours of life, cells in the nascent embryo become totipotent: they have the incredible flexibility to mature into skin, heart, gut, or any type of cell.... Read More
Listeners Perceive Negative Emotions in the Over-Pronounced Style of Speech Intended for People with Hearing Loss, According to Research to be Presented at Acoustical Meeting in Providence... Read More
Two physician-researchers from Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah will be among the principal investigators (PIs) in a new worldwide study focused on the genetics of sarcoma.... Read More
Two internationally known scholars, one in the field of cancer prevention and the other in the field of molecular biology, will join Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah as early as September 1.... Read More
Three neuro-ophthalmologists on team that found the use of an inexpensive glaucoma drug (acetazolamide), when added to a weight reduction plan, can improve and even restore vision for women with a disorder called idiopathic intracranial hypertension.... Read More
A computational tool developed at the University of Utah has successfully identified diseases with unknown gene mutations in three separate cases, U of U researchers report in The American Journal of Human Genetics.... Read More
About 6 percent of colorectal cancers are diagnosed within three to five years after the patient receives a clean colonoscopy report, according to new study.... Read More
The American Board of Pathology (ABP) and ARUP Laboratories are pleased to announce that ARUP's president and CEO, Dr. Edward Ashwood, has been selected as a trustee to the ABP board beginning January 2014. ... Read More
Researchers from HCI discovered a cellular mechanism that drives the spread of breast cancer to other parts of the body (metastasis), as well as a therapy which blocks that mechanism.... Read More
Cells with a mutation in the gene called K-Ras—found in close to 30% of all cancers, but mostly those with worst prognosis, such as pancreatic cancer, colon cancer, and lung cancer—behave in ways that subvert the normal mechanisms of cell death, according to a cell-culture study by researchers from Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah.... Read More
For the past ten years, clinicians throughout the United States have been performing unnecessary Pap tests for cervical cancer screening in certain groups of women, according to a researcher from Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah.... Read More
Jo-Anna Reems, Ph.D., is among the leaders working to move stem cell therapies into future possible cures. She recently showcased the University of Utah's Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine (CTRM) facility at a prestigious national conference.... Read More
University of Utah researchers build on prior research by identifying an association between autism spectrum disorder risk and prenatal weight gain, after accounting for important related factors such as prepregnancy BMI.... Read More
For people with a family history of adenomas, up to 10 percent of colorectal cancers could be missed when current national screening guidelines are followed.... Read More
The University Neuropsychiatric Institute (UNI) and the Department of Psychiatry dedicated the new auditorium at UNI as the C. H. Hardin Branch Auditorium, in honor of the department's founder and pioneer in modern psychiatry. ... Read More
CureSearch for Children's Cancer this week awarded researchers at Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah a $1.73 million grant to test a novel targeted treatment for Ewing sarcoma that hopefully will disrupt the cancer's growth and spread. If successful, their work could lead to new treatment for the more than 250 children diagnosed with this rare cancer each year.... Read More
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has awarded Huntsman Cancer Institute investigator Matt VanBrocklin, Ph.D., more than $1.5 million over the next five years to continue studying the role of a gene called c-KIT in the origin and growth of melanoma, a devastating and sometimes deadly skin cancer. VanBrocklin is an assistant professor in the Department of Surgery at the University of Utah.... Read More
Health Care Transformation, Research, ClinicalAug 14, 2013
Prenatal care is governed by medical dogma. Mothers first check in with their doctors around eight weeks’ gestation, setting in motion a regimented schedule of clinic visits and tests - prenatal labs, genetic screening, the clinical ultrasound, gestational diabetes testing, Group B Strep screening - that mark the long, 40-week march to a baby.
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When a child is diagnosed with cancer, one of the first questions the parents ask is "Will my other children get cancer?" A new study from Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah suggests the answer to that question depends on whether or not a family history of cancer exists. The research results were published online in the International Journal of Cancer and will appear in the November 15 print issue.... Read More
Drawing pictures. As simplistic and unscientific as it sounds, pictures have been one of the most powerful tools scientists have used to help them understand and explain the unknown. Today, the rough sketches of centuries past have given way to elaborate computer animations that are helping researchers understand the inner workings of some of the most mysterious and miniscule science there is - that of cell processes deep within our bodies. ... Read More
The University of Utah Health Sciences has announced appointments to four major positions in research, finance, curriculum and human resources.... Read More
University of Utah pediatric fellow Jennifer K. Workman, M.D. and colleagues examined trends in pediatric organ donation and transplantation.... Read More
Researchers from Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah have discovered that while the genes provided by the father arrive at fertilization pre-programmed to the state needed by the embryo, the genes provided by the mother are in a different state and must be reprogrammed to match. The findings have important implications for both developmental biology and cancer biology.... Read More
It became known as the "baby bong project."
Stanford University students looking for cost-effective ways to build inhalers for impoverished children in Latin America stumbled upon an unorthodox method during their research process.... Read More
Researchers from Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah have developed a novel and powerful technique to identify the targets for a group of enzymes called RNA cytosine methyltransferases (RMTs) in human RNA. They applied their technique to a particular RMT, NSUN2, which has been implicated in mental retardation and cancers in humans, finding and validating many previously unknown RMT targets—an indication of the technique's power. The research results were published online in the journal Nature Biotechnology on April 21.... Read More
John Sweetenham, M.D., currently a Professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Diego, and Medical Director of the UCSD University of Nevada Cancer Institute, has been appointed Senior Director of Clinical Affairs and Executive Medical Director at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI), and Professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Hematologic Oncology at the University of Utah after a national search. He will assume his post April 1.... Read More
Health Care Transformation, Research, Clinical, EducationFeb 13, 2013
Art can be a powerful expression of pain and torment, as well as joy and overcoming. Perhaps it's fitting, then, to take a disease that can often combine all of those emotions — cancer — and make it the basis for a patient's creative endeavors.... Read More
Researchers have discovered that adding lovastatin, a widely used cholesterol-lowering drug, to traditional antimalarial treatment decreases neuroinflammation and protects against cognitive impairment in a mouse model of cerebral malaria.... Read More
People who reside in rural areas of Utah are less likely to follow colorectal cancer (CRC) screening recommendations than their urban counterparts, according to researchers from Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah. This geographic disparity is evident across all risk groups, including those who have a family history of the disease.... Read More
HCI researchers were part of a team that found a potent oral drug, ponatinib, effective in patients who have developed resistance to standard treatments for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and Philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic lymphoma (Ph+ ALL).... Read More
Discovery of a new drug with high potential to treat Ewing sarcoma, an often deadly cancer of children and young adults, and the previously unknown mechanism behind it, come hand-in-hand in a new study by researchers from Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah. The report appears in today’s online issue of the journal Oncogene.... Read More
A new discovery from researchers at HCI concerning a fundamental understanding about how DNA works will produce a "180-degree change in focus" for researchers who study how gene packaging regulates gene activity, including genes that cause cancer and other diseases.... Read More
Many patients who have genetic testing for Lynch syndrome, a hereditary predisposition to colon cancer, receive the inconclusive result "variants of uncertain clinical significance." This can be a problem, as people with Lynch syndrome have a much higher probability to develop colon cancer, and often develop colon cancer at an earlier age than is common among the general population; consequently, they need to begin screening at a much younger age.... Read More
For the first time, a mutation in HIF2α, a specific group of genes known as transcription factors that is involved in red blood cell production and cell metabolism, has been identified in cancer tumor cells.... Read More
A new study of the genetic makeup, or genome, of Ewing sarcoma, a rare cancer that strikes children, teenagers, and young adults, has produced multiple discoveries: a previously unknown sarcoma subtype, genetic factors related to long-term survival, and identification of a genetic change between the primary and metastatic stages of the disease that could lead to better, more targeted treatment.... Read More
Cells in normal tissue seem to have "personal space" issues. They know how much space they like, and if things get too tight, some cells are forced to leave.... Read More
A new compound shows promise in patient leukemia samples when current treatments fail, say researchers from Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah (U of U). ... Read More
Mutations in a gene called XRCC2 cause increased breast cancer risk, according to a study published online today in the American Journal of Human Genetics.... Read More
Researchers from HCI report they have discovered a method to identify cancer-causing rearrangements of genetic material called chromosomal translocations quickly, accurately, and inexpensively.... Read More
Researchers from Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah have discovered a new way to model human breast cancer that could lead to new tools for predicting which breast cancers will spread and new ways to test drugs that may stop its spread.... Read More
Millions of people worldwide deal with osteoarthritis, a debilitating and painful disease where the protective cartilage capping the bones slowly wears away over time due to abnormal remodeling of the tissue that make...
Chronic lower back pain continues to be a major health concern in the United States. The Hispanic community is particularly troubled by this affliction. While translating health care materials into Spanish is a first ...
Clinicians at University of Utah Health have completed a study demonstrating how guideline-quality office blood pressure measurements and home blood pressure monitoring - often viewed as cumbersome and time-consuming ...
A healthy person produces three to six cups of saliva a day. Those with Sjögren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disease, produce far less. Researchers at the University of Utah Health identified an important mole...
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